Darshan of Lord Jagannath To Stop for 3 Hrs for Banak Lagi Rituals Today

Puri: The darshan of deities at Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri will be stopped for three hours on Wednesday for the Banakalagi ritual of Sri Jagannath, Sri Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

According to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), devotees will not be allowed to have darshan of the deities from 6 pm to 9 pm for this ritual. Regular darshan will resume after completion of the Banakalagi ritual.

The Banakalagi Niti or Shrimukha Sringara is a secret ritual wherein a fresh coat of colours is applied to the idols of the Holy Trinity.

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.