Bhubaneswar: Public darshan at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain suspended for nearly four hours on Thursday evening for the observance of the sacred Banakalagi Niti (Shrimukha Shringara ritual) of the Chaturddha Vigraha, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) announced on Wednesday.
The ritual will be performed on Chaitra Krushna Dwitiya tithi, which falls on Thursday, March 5, 2026. According to the schedule issued by the temple administration, darshan will remain closed from around 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM after the completion of the second Bhog Mandap offering.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the SJTA stated that following the conclusion of the Second Bhog Mandap, public entry into the sanctum will be temporarily suspended to facilitate the performance of the Banakalagi Niti.
As per long-standing temple traditions, the Banakalagi Niti is a confidential and highly revered ritual conducted exclusively by the Datta Mahapatra sevayats on the Ratna Bedi, the sacred altar of the temple. During this ceremony, the holy faces (Shrimukha) of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Sudarshana are adorned with natural colours and aromatic substances.
The sacred cosmetic preparation includes traditional ingredients such as Hingula (vermilion red), Haritala (yellow orpiment), powdered Shankha (conch shell white), and Kala (black pigment). These are blended with fragrant elements like Kasturi (musk), Keshara (saffron), and camphor before being carefully applied to the deities.
Temple officials informed that after the completion of the Banakalagi Niti, Mahaprabhu will undergo Mahasnana, the grand ceremonial bath. Subsequently, all temple doors will be reopened and darshan will resume as per the regular schedule.
The Banakalagi Niti is observed approximately twice every month at the temple. During the ritual, all temple doors remain closed and general public darshan is strictly prohibited.
Devotees planning to visit the temple on Thursday evening have been advised to schedule their darshan accordingly and extend full cooperation to temple authorities during the temporary suspension.
