Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri town will remain closed for public darshan for five hours on Monday in view of a special rituals of the sibling deities.
According to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), special Khasapada Lagi Niti of the Trinity will be conducted in the 12th century shrine from 5 pm to 10 pm. During this period, devotees will not be allowed darshan of the sibling deities inside the temple.
The ritual will be performed after the second bhoga is offered to the deities at the Bhoga Mandap on the occasion of Dwitiya (second) tithi of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra.
This secret ritual is performed twice a year to protect the sacred bodies of the sibling deities after Rath Yatra and after Holi celebrations.
During the Rath Yatra and Holi festivals, the bodies of the Trinity are exposed to the sun, rain, and other environmental factors, which cause damage. This ritual is a secret service performed by the Daitapati servitors.
After the Rath Yatra, this ritual is performed to safeguard the sacred bodies of the four deities, including Lord Sudarshan. Similarly, after the Holi festival, the ritual is performed to repair any damage caused to the Lord’s body during the Holi celebrations.
