The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced that general darshan at the Puri Jagannath Temple will remain suspended for five hours on Wednesday, August 12, to facilitate the observance of Chitalagi Amavasya rituals.
According to temple officials, the Chitalagi Niti of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra will be performed on the Shravana Krushna Amabasya tithi. After the completion of the first Bhoga Mandapa offering, public darshan will remain temporarily suspended from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Chitalagi Amavasya, also known as Chitau Amavasya, is a revered Odia festival celebrated on the new moon day of Shravan. On this day, the deities are adorned with their gem‑studded golden Chitas, ceremonially reattached to their foreheads after being removed before Snana Purnima ahead of the annual Rath Yatra.
The festival also coincides with the preparation of Chitau Pitha, a traditional rice‑based delicacy made in households across Odisha.
The SJTA has urged devotees to plan their temple visits accordingly and cooperate with temple authorities during the ritual hours.
