Chitalagi Amavasya, also known as Chittau Amavasya, will be observed at Puri Srimandir on Wednesday, August 12, with special rituals planned for the occasion. The day falls during the holy month of Shravan.
One of the key rituals will be the Chitalagi Niti, during which the deities are adorned with their traditional golden forehead ornaments.
The ritual will be performed after the completion of the first Bhoga Mandap ritual.
Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra to wear golden Chitas
As part of the Chitalagi Niti, the traditional golden ornaments, known as Chitas, will be placed on the foreheads of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
The ornaments had been removed during Snana Purnima and will be placed back on the deities during the Chitalagi Amavasya ritual.
The ritual is an important observance at Srimandir and is witnessed by devotees following the temple’s prescribed traditions.
Puri Srimandir darshan timings on Chitalagi Amavasya
Devotees planning to visit Srimandir on Wednesday should take note of the revised darshan schedule.
Public darshan will remain suspended from 2 pm to 7 pm due to the Chitalagi Niti.
During this period, general devotees will not be allowed to have darshan as the special ritual involving the deities is performed.
Visitors are therefore advised to plan their trips to Puri accordingly and check the latest temple instructions before visiting.
Solar eclipse coincides with Chitalagi Amavasya
This year’s Chitalagi Amavasya also coincides with a solar eclipse.
However, the eclipse will not be visible from India, including Odisha. According to the information provided by temple authorities, no eclipse-related observances will therefore be followed in India.
The coincidence of the two events had prompted questions about whether eclipse-related restrictions would affect temple rituals. However, the scheduled Chitalagi Niti will be conducted as planned.
Devotees advised to plan their visit
With the special ritual scheduled at Srimandir, devotees visiting Puri on Chitalagi Amavasya should keep the 2 pm to 7 pm darshan restriction in mind.
The temple authorities have advised devotees to take note of the revised timings and plan their visit accordingly.
