The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, will remain closed to devotees for five hours on Wednesday due to the sacred Banakalagi ritual.
The temple administration, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), has notified the public of the closure from 5 PM to 10 PM.
The Banakalagi ritual, also known as Shrimukha Sringara, involves applying fresh natural colors to the idols of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. This process, steeped in tradition, uses ingredients such as Hingula, Haritala, Kasturi, Keshar, and glue made from Kaintha. Only specific servitors are permitted to perform this sacred ceremony inside the sanctum sanctorum.
During the ritual, the temple doors will remain closed to outsiders, marking a significant moment of devotion and cultural preservation.
