Bhubaneswar: The Jagannath temple in Puri will remain closed for four hours on Wednesday for the Banakalagi ritual of sibling deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, informed the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
The SJTA has issued a notification in this regard informing that the closure will be from 6 pm to 10 pm, due to the Bankalagi ritual, which will be performed on the occasion of Magha Shukla Dasami Tithi.
According to Jagannath temple guidelines, the Banakalagi Niti or Shrimukha Sringara of Lord Jagannath is performed on Wednesday or Thursday.
As part of the ritual, fresh colours are applied to the idols of the sibling deities. Natural colours like Hingula, Haritala, Kasturi, Keshar, and the glue of Kaintha are used to prepare a Banaka.
Going by the tradition, the Dutta Mohapatra servitors and Khadiprasad Daitapati servitors perform the rituals. The garbhagruha or sanctum sanctorum of the temple remains closed and no outsiders are allowed inside during this ritual.
The Bhog Mandap will be closed after the second bhog offering, and the temple will be inaccessible to the general public during the specified time. Devotees are requested to plan their visit accordingly.
