On Thursday, coinciding with the Ashwin Krishna Chaturthi tithi, the sacred Banakalagi ritual of Lord Jagannath will be performed at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
As a result, public darshan of the deities will remain suspended for approximately five hours, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, after the completion of the second Bhogamandap offering, according to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration.
The Banakalagi ritual is a confidential and sacred ceremony dedicated to the adornment of the deities. During this ritual, the Jaya Bijaya gate of the temple will remain closed. Following the Dwiprahara Dhupa (midday offering), the Datta Mahapatra servitors will adorn the faces of the deities with natural colours prepared through traditional methods. These colours, including Hingula (vermilion), Haritala (yellow arsenic), Kasturi (musk), red, white, and black, are used to enhance the divine appearance of Lord Jagannath and the other deities. As this is a secretive ritual, public darshan will be restricted during this period to maintain its sanctity.
The Banakalagi ritual is a significant part of the temple’s traditions, reflecting the deep spiritual and cultural heritage of the Shree Jagannath Temple, attracting devotees and scholars alike to witness the grandeur of its practices.
