Jagannath Darshan Timings / Darshan to Remain Suspended for Four Hours Today for Banakalagi Ritual at Puri Jagannath Temple
·1 month ago·2 min read
Key Points
- Darshan at Puri's Jagannath Temple will be restricted for 4 hours on Wednesday due to the 'Banakalagi' ritual.
- All four temple gates will remain closed from 6 pm to 10 pm; devotees are advised to plan visits accordingly.
Puri, Feb 11: General darshan at the Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain restricted for nearly four hours on Wednesday in view of the ‘Banakalagi’ ritual of the deities, our source from the ground informed.
According to the source, the ritual will be performed from 6 pm to 10 pm after the completion of the second 'bhoga mandap' offering rituals. During this period, all four entrance gates of the 12th-century shrine will remain closed to devotees.
What Is Banakalagi ritual?
As per details available on temple records, the term ‘Banakalagi’ denotes the painting of the images of the Holy Trinity - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
The ritual is conducted by three Datta Mahapatra servitors. After grinding the ‘Banaka’ paste, they climb the Ratna Singhasan (holy throne) and begin the secret painting ritual. At the time of performing this service in the middle ‘Baada’, the ‘Palia Mekap’ shows the ‘Baitha’ (lamp) by bringing it from the ‘Akhanda’, and the process is carried out in a strictly traditional manner.
After the ‘Banakalagi’ ritual is completed, the Datta Mahapatras descend from the throne.
Temple authorities have advised devotees to plan their visit accordingly, as darshan will resume only after the completion of the ritual.
Also Read: Kantara-Like Legend in Odisha: How Lakshmi Varaha Jew Chose People Over a Palace
Disruption in 2023
In the year 2023, there was a dispute regarding the periodic ritual in Jagannath temple. The Banakalagi ritual was not observed this year from Niladribije till August 8, 2023, following a dispute between Datta Mahapatra servitors and SJTA (Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration) over the day on which the ritual should be conducted. While Datta Mahapatra servitors insisted the ritual be held on Thursday, SJTA wanted it on Wednesday, the source informed. Drawing a closure to the logjam, Srimandir Managing Committee on August 4, 2023, had agreed to conduct the ritual twice a month on Wednesdays, the source added.
According to the source, the ritual will be performed from 6 pm to 10 pm after the completion of the second 'bhoga mandap' offering rituals. During this period, all four entrance gates of the 12th-century shrine will remain closed to devotees.
What Is Banakalagi ritual?
As per details available on temple records, the term ‘Banakalagi’ denotes the painting of the images of the Holy Trinity - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
The ritual is conducted by three Datta Mahapatra servitors. After grinding the ‘Banaka’ paste, they climb the Ratna Singhasan (holy throne) and begin the secret painting ritual. At the time of performing this service in the middle ‘Baada’, the ‘Palia Mekap’ shows the ‘Baitha’ (lamp) by bringing it from the ‘Akhanda’, and the process is carried out in a strictly traditional manner.
After the ‘Banakalagi’ ritual is completed, the Datta Mahapatras descend from the throne.
Temple authorities have advised devotees to plan their visit accordingly, as darshan will resume only after the completion of the ritual.
Also Read: Kantara-Like Legend in Odisha: How Lakshmi Varaha Jew Chose People Over a Palace
Disruption in 2023
In the year 2023, there was a dispute regarding the periodic ritual in Jagannath temple. The Banakalagi ritual was not observed this year from Niladribije till August 8, 2023, following a dispute between Datta Mahapatra servitors and SJTA (Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration) over the day on which the ritual should be conducted. While Datta Mahapatra servitors insisted the ritual be held on Thursday, SJTA wanted it on Wednesday, the source informed. Drawing a closure to the logjam, Srimandir Managing Committee on August 4, 2023, had agreed to conduct the ritual twice a month on Wednesdays, the source added.
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