The divine fervour of the Rath Yatra reaches a significant milestone as the revered Banakalagi Niti ritual is set to take place on Monday, June 30, at the Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha.
This sacred ceremony, integral to the annual chariot festival, will see Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra adorned with vibrant natural colours, marking a moment of profound spiritual significance for devotees.
According to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, the ritual will commence after the second Bhogmandap offering, with public darshan suspended from 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM to facilitate the ceremony. The Banakalagi Niti, performed at the Janmabedi within the Gundicha Temple, involves the meticulous application of sacred substances like kasturi, kesar, harital, and hingula to the deities’ faces by the skilled Dattamahapatra servitors. This intricate process, culminating in the Jariya ritual, enhances the divine countenance of the deities, who are currently stationed at the Adapa Mandap during the Rath Yatra.
The timing of the ritual is particularly significant, as it coincides with preparations for Hera Panchami, observed on Tuesday, July 1. The Banakalagi Niti not only elevates the aesthetic splendour of the deities but also deepens the spiritual connection for the thousands of devotees who throng Puri for the festival. The Gundicha Temple, regarded as the temporary abode of Lord Jagannath during the Rath Yatra, will serve as the sacred stage for this cherished tradition.
As Puri pulses with devotion, the Banakalagi Niti underscores the rich cultural and religious heritage of Odisha, drawing pilgrims and visitors to witness the divine artistry and sanctity of Lord Jagannath’s rituals.
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