Argus News - Shree Jagannath Temple to Remain Closed for Four Hours Tomorrow

Puri, Apr 5: The Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain closed to devotees for four hours on Monday evening for the sacred Paitalagi Niti ritual.

The temple administration has announced that public darshan will be suspended from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on April 6, which falls on Baisakh Krishna Chaturthi.

The ritual, conducted by the Daitapati Sevaks, involves adorning the holy idols with paita—a special cloth considered essential for the protection of the divine forms. The cloth, also referred to as pata bastra, is wrapped around the idols in a manner that safeguards their sacred bodies. As this is a confidential and highly sanctified ritual, the temple remains closed to the public during its observance.

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Devotees are advised to plan their visit accordingly, as darshan will resume only after the completion of the ritual. The temple administration has issued a formal notice to inform pilgrims and visitors, emphasizing that the closure is temporary and necessary for the preservation of tradition.

The Paitalagi Niti is one of the many unique rituals that highlight the rich spiritual heritage of the Jagannath Temple. It underscores the deep reverence accorded to the deities and the meticulous care taken to maintain their sanctity. For devotees, the ritual is a reminder of the temple’s living traditions, where age-old practices continue to be observed with devotion and discipline.