Bhubaneswar: Devotees visiting the Puri Srimandir will have to adjust their plans as the temple will remain closed for four hours tomorrow on account of the sacred Paita Lagi Niti rituals. The 12th-century shrine, home to Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra, will suspend public darshan from 6 pm to 10 pm, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said in a statement.
“On Monday, the 6th April 2026, Baishakha: krushna Chaturthi tithi, the Paitalagi Niti of the Holy Deities will be performed. Therefore, after the completion of the Second Bhog Mandap offering, public darshan will remain temporarily suspended from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM,” the SJTA notification read.
During the ritual, the temple servitors, known as Daitapatis, cover the deities with a special silk cloth called ‘Basunga Patta’, which is treated with sandalwood paste. The ceremony is a significant part of the temple’s daily rituals and attracts large numbers of devotees every year.
Devotees planning to visit the shrine are advised to adjust their timings and plan darshan either before 6 pm or after 10 pm.
The SJTA urged devotees to follow all instructions and maintain decorum during the sacred rituals.
