Argus News - Secret Ritual of Lord Jagannath: Public Darshan to Remain Suspended from 6 PM

Puri, Apr 15: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has announced that public darshan of Lord Jagannath will remain closed for four hours on Wednesday evening due to the observance of a special ritual called Banakalagi Niti.

On the occasion of Vaishakha Krishna Trayodashi Tithi, the sacred Banakalagi Niti will be performed inside the temple premises.

According to the temple authorities, darshan will be suspended after the completion of the second Bhogamandap Bhog.

Devotees will not be allowed entry from approximately 6:00 PM until 10:00 PM. During this period, the Jay Vijay Dwara will remain closed as part of the ritual arrangements.

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The Banakalagi Niti is considered one of the confidential and significant rituals of Lord Jagannath. It involves the adornment and beautification of the divine faces of the deities, which are believed to become dulled due to daily exposure to lamps, smoke, and other ritualistic elements.

The Dattamahapatra Sevaks carry out the sacred decoration using traditional substances such as Hingula (red pigment), Harital (yellow pigment), and Kasturi (musk). These materials are provided by the temple administration to ensure the authenticity and sanctity of the ritual.