Puri, Aug. 17 (UDN): Devotees visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will not be allowed public darshan for four hours on Monday evening due to the observance of the traditional Khasapada Lagi Niti.

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According to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the special ritual will be performed on the occasion of Shrabana Shukla Panchami after completion of the second Bhoga Mandapa offering.

Darshan Suspended From 6 PM to 10 PM

As per the revised schedule, public darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will remain suspended from 6 pm to 10 pm on Monday.

During this period, devotees will not be permitted to enter the sanctum sanctorum as the temple servitors perform the special ritual.

Special Ritual for the Sibling Deities

The Khasapada Lagi Niti is a traditional ritual observed around two to three times a year. During the ceremony, the sacred feet, or Shreepayars, of the deities are wrapped with white cloth as part of the religious proceedings.

The ritual requires restrictions on public access to the sanctum, resulting in the temporary suspension of darshan.

The temple administration has advised devotees planning to visit the shrine on Monday to take note of the four-hour restriction and plan their temple visit accordingly to avoid inconvenience.