Banakalagi Ritual of Sri Jagannath Today, No Darshan for 3 Hours

Puri: The public darshan of the deities will be stopped for three hours in Puri Sri Mandir from 6 pm to 9 pm on Wednesday because of the Banakalagi ritual of Lord Jagannath, informed Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

Along with the Dutta Mohapatra Sevaks, the Palia Pujapanda sevayats, the Garabadu sevayats, the Puspalakas, the Changada Mekapa sevakas, and the Mudulis will take part in the Banakalagi ritual.

After a ‘Maha Snana’ following Banakalagi, the temple will be reopened to devotees to have darshan of the deities.

According to cultural experts, Banakalagi derives its name from ‘Bana’ which means forest and ‘Lagi’ means to apply.

Certain and rare forest products are used to prepare four types of colours- such as haritala (red), hengula (yellow), sankha (white), and black are applied on the face of the deities.