Public Darshan of Sri Jagannath to Stop for 6 Hrs Today for Banakalagi Ritual

Puri: The Sri Jagannath temple in Puri will remain closed for public darshan for six hours on Wednesday for the Banakalagi ritual of the deities.

According to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the public darshan of Lord Jagannath will remain suspended between 6 PM and 12 midnight for the Banakalagi Niti being held on the day of Baisakha Krushna Amabasya.

The general darshan will be closed after ‘Dwitiya Bhogamandap’ informed the SJTA. The Banakalagi ritual of Lord Jagannath will be performed in Srimandir of Puri on Wednesday. Because of this, the Jagannath temple in Puri will remain closed for four hours for devotees.

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.

As per tradition, different types of natural colors like Hingula, Haritala, Kasturi, Keshar, glue of Kaintha are used to prepare a Banaka which is applied to the deities.