Puri, Apr 21: Monday, April 21, marks a significant day at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, as the sacred Paita Lagi Niti – a ritual – will be conducted on the Ratna Singhasan (jewelled throne) of the deities – Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

This auspicious ceremony, performed on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Baisakha, is a secret ritual carried out by the Daitapati servitors.

As per the temple administration, the darshan of the deities will remain closed for devotees from 5 PM to 10 PM to facilitate the ritual.

According to reports, the Daitapati servitors, divided into three groups, will ascend the Ratna Singhasan to perform this sacred ritual.

Following the completion of the five-hour-long ritual, the deities will be given a Maha Snana (grand bath), after which devotees will be allowed to have darshan.

Notably, the Paita Lagi Niti, which is performed twice or thrice a year, is considered a vital part of the temple's traditions.

Meanwhile, the temple administration has announced that repair work on the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) by the ASI will remain suspended until April 24 owing to special rituals.

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