Puri: With acute shortage of Kasturi affecting Banakalagi ritual at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, servitors have sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to ensure a steady supply of natural musk for the 12th century shrine.
Voicing grave concern over Kasturi shortage, temple servitors and devotees said it is affecting the smooth conduct of the centuries-old ritual, which enhances the divine glow of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. The supply of Kasturi – a vital ingredient traditionally used in adorning the deities – was being sourced from Nepal, but disruptions in procurement have led to a severe shortage in recent months.
Traditionally, Kasturi was provided to Srimandir as a donation from Nepal. The King of Nepal has a special place at the temple due to this association. After Nepal stopped sending Kasturi owing to prohibitory laws, the crisis of Kasturi shortage has been worsened at Srimandir. This is the reason servitors are drawing attention of the PM to this issue for resolution through diplomatic channels.
The appeal to the Prime Minister underscores the urgency of addressing the Kasturi crisis, as devotees fear that prolonged shortages could compromise one of the most revered traditions of the Jagannath Temple.
The Banakalagi, also known as Shrimukha Shringara, involves applying natural colours and aromatic substances such as Kasturi, kesar, karpura and conch powder to the faces of the deities. Kasturi, in particular, is considered essential not only for beautification but also for protecting the sacred neem wood idols from insects.
Temple authorities have assured devotees that despite the shortage, efforts are being made to continue the rituals with available resources. However, they acknowledged that the absence of Kasturi diminishes the traditional sanctity of Banakalagi. The matter has drawn attention from cultural and religious circles, who stress that preserving such rituals is integral to Odisha’s spiritual heritage. The issue has also sparked wider debate on the need for sustainable and reliable sources of Kasturi, given its religious significance and limited availability.
