Argus News - Banakalagi Ritual: Puri Jagannath Temple To Remain Closed For 4 Hours Today

Puri, Mar 5: The Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain closed to devotees for four hours today as the sacred Banakalagi ritual of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra will be performed, temple authorities said on Wednesday.

According to the the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri, "On Thursday, the 5th March, Chaitra Krushna Dwitiya Tithi, the Banakalagi Niti of the Holy Deities will be performed. Therefore, after the completion of the Second Bhog Mandap offering, public darshan will temporarily suspended from 6 PM to 10 PM".

The Banakalagi Niti, also known as Shrimukha Sringara, involves repainting the deities’ faces with sacred substances such as kasturi (musk), harital (yellow pigment), kesar (saffron), and hingula (vermilion).

This rejuvenation ritual is carried out by the Dutta Mohapatra and Khadiprasad Daitapati servitors inside the sanctum sanctorum.

Also read: Rajya Sabha Elections: Contest Set For 37 Seats As Nomination Window Opens
 
Spiritual Significance
Far beyond its cosmetic appearance, Banakalagi symbolizes spiritual renewal and the strengthening of the bond between the divine and devotees. It is considered one of the most intimate and sacred rites in the temple calendar, performed periodically to refresh the aura of the deities.

Security
The SJTA has urged devotees to plan their visits accordingly, given the temporary suspension of darshan. Meanwhile, the Puri district administration has made elaborate security arrangements around the temple to ensure smooth conduct of the ritual and crowd management.