The sacred Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain closed for devotees for four hours on Wednesday evening for the traditional Banakalagi ritual of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
According to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), public darshan at the 12th-century shrine will remain suspended from 6 PM to 10 PM on May 20, 2026, on the occasion of Jyeshtha Krishna Chaturthi Tithi.
The temple administration stated that the Banakalagi Niti will begin after the completion of the second Bhog Mandap offering. During this period, devotees will not be allowed inside the temple premises.
Banakalagi is one of the important traditional rituals of the sibling deities in which fresh natural colours are applied to the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
The ritual uses sacred and natural ingredients such as:
- Hingula
- Haritala
- Kasturi
- Keshar
- Kaintha glue
These ingredients are used to prepare the sacred “Banaka” paste applied to the deities.
The Bhog Mandap will be shut after the second bhog offering, and devotees are advised to plan their temple visit accordingly to avoid inconvenience during the temporary suspension of darshan.
The Banakalagi ritual holds deep spiritual significance for devotees and is considered an important part of the temple’s age-old traditions and seva rituals.
