Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri will remain out of bounds for devotees for four hours on Wednesday, to facilitate the sacred Banakalagi Niti ritual for the presiding deities — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.
According to an official notification from Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the ritual is scheduled on the occasion of Chaitra Krushna Chaturdashi tithi. Public darshan will be suspended from 6 pm to 10 pm, following the completion of the second Bhog Mandap offering. Devotees have been advised to plan their visits accordingly and avoid the temple premises during this window to ensure the smooth conduct of the ceremony.
Banakalagi Niti is a traditional and secretive ritual in which the faces of the wooden idols of the sibling deities receive a fresh application of natural colours and paste. This involves preparing a special mixture called Banaka using ingredients such as Hingula (cinnabar), Haritala (orpiment), Kasturi (musk), Keshar (saffron), and Kaintha glue. The ritual is performed by designated servitors, including the Dutta Mohapatra and Khadiprasad Daitapati sevakas, within the sanctum sanctorum. No outsiders are permitted inside during this time, preserving the sanctity and privacy of the tradition.
This periodic ritual is integral to maintaining the deities’ appearance and spiritual significance.
