Puri, Nov 27: The Nagarjuna Besha rituals of Lord Jagannath and siblings began this morning in the holy town after a gap of 26 years. The last Nagarjuna Besha was observed in 1994.

In view of the Covid-19 pandemic the rituals were observed sans devotees in presence of servitors and temple officials.

On this occasion, the Trinity get dressed like warriors. The Nagarjuna Besha is celebrated in commemoration of the killing of Kartyavera Arjuna, one of the main kings slain by Parsuram.

The district administration has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in the town to avoid crowd in front of the temple during the rituals.