Puri, Sep 3: The Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain closed for devotees for five hours tomorrow, September 4, to observe the sacred ritual of 'Bamana Janma Niti', commemorating the birth of Lord Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the temple administration said on Wednesday.

According to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri, the public darshan at the Srimandir will be suspended from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM to allow for uninterrupted execution of special rituals. The closure will begin from the commencement of Madhyan Dhupa Bhoga till the completion of Bamana Janma ritual.

During this time, servitors will perform ceremonial rites for the sibling deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. Lord Jagannath will be adorned in the attire of Bali Bamana, symbolizing the divine moment of Vamana’s birth and his interaction with King Bali.

The Bamana Janma Niti is one of the most spiritually significant observances in the temple calendar, drawing thousands of devotees each year. However, due to the ritual’s sanctity and complexity, temple access is restricted to ensure its smooth conduct at the12th century shrine.

The SJTA urged devotees to plan their visits accordingly and cooperate with the temporary closure. The temple will reopen for darshan after the completion of the ritual at 10:00 PM.

This observance not only reinforces the temple’s rich Vaishnavite traditions but also highlights the meticulous ritual calendar that governs Srimandir’s spiritual rhythm.