Puri Jagannath Temple To Remain Closed For Devotees For 4 Hours Today

Puri: Shree Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri will remain closed for devotees for four hours on Sunday in view of special rituals scheduled for Chitalagi Amavasya.

According to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Shri Vigrahaman Chitalagi Niti will be performed in the 12th century shrine on the occasion of Sravana-Krishna Amavasya.

According to sources, during the Chitalagi Niti, which is performed once in a year, Vigrahaman is worshipped to seek blessing for prosperity and well-being of the people. The priests have to follow strict regulations and practices while conducting the special ritual.

In order to ensure that the rituals are performed unhindered by any disturbances amid peaceful and quiet atmosphere, devotees will not be allowed to go inside the temple to have darshan of sibling deities when the Chitalagi Niti is conducted, the sources said.

Therefore, the SJTA announced that the temple will remain closed for devotees after completion of Bhogamandapa ritual from 2 pm to 6 pm on the day.

As part of the ritual, the temporary ‘Chita’ are to be removed and the foreheads of the sibling deities will be adorned with ‘Chita’ made of gold, diamond, ruby, emerald and sapphire.