Puri, Nov 4 (UDN): Devotees visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri today will have to plan their darshan accordingly, as public entry to the temple will remain suspended for approximately four hours in view of the sacred Banakalagi ritual of the deities.
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According to the temple administration’s advisory, the special ritual will be performed from 6 PM to 10 PM on Wednesday, corresponding to the Dashami Tithi of Kartika Krishna Paksha.
During this period, devotees will not be allowed to have darshan of the deities. The Jaya Vijaya entrance to the sanctum sanctorum will also remain closed to maintain the confidentiality and sanctity of the ritual.
What Is the Banakalagi Ritual?
Banakalagi is an important traditional ritual in which the facial features and colours of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshana are carefully restored using natural and indigenous materials.
The ritual is performed by the Dutta Mahapatra servitors, who use traditional ingredients such as Hingula (cinnabar), Haritala (orpiment), Kasturi (musk) and special organic oils to refresh the distinctive colours of the deities.
The traditional colours, including red, white, black and yellow, are carefully applied to preserve the divine appearance of the deities and protect their wooden forms.
Devotees Advised to Plan Their Visit
As Banakalagi is a confidential ritual governed by centuries-old temple traditions, only designated servitors are permitted to perform the sacred work. No devotees or outsiders are allowed inside the restricted area while the ritual is underway.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has advised devotees, particularly those travelling from outside Puri, to take note of the revised darshan schedule and avoid inconvenience.
Regular public darshan is expected to resume after the completion of the Banakalagi ritual and the subsequent customary purification ceremonies.
The ritual remains an important part of the centuries-old traditions of Srimandir, reflecting the unique customs and spiritual heritage of Lord Jagannath’s abode.