Banakalagi of Deities of Puri Srimandir on Wednesdays, Informs SJTA

Puri: The Banakalagi ritual of deities of Shree Jagannath temple in Puri will be held on Wednesday, informed Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Thursday.

The Dutta Mohapatra Nijoga had agreed to perform the Banakalagi ritual of Shree Jagannath today (Thursday). But the Srimandir Commander denied allowing it.

Quoting the Bamadev Samhita and Record of Rights, the SJTA says that the Banakalagi ritual of Lord Jagannath should be held on Wednesdays.

The SJTA has issued a show cause notice to the Dutta Mahapatra nijog in connection with the Banakalagi ritual irregularities. The Dutta Mahapatra nijog has to reply it within a maximum of four days.

As per the decision of the management committee in 2018, the Banaka Lagi ritual is undertaken on Wednesdays. Yet since past six years, Datta Mahapatra Nijoga is insisting on conducting the Bankalagi rituals on Thursdays.

Even after Niladri Bije or end of Rathyatra, the Banka Lagi rituals or Shrimukh Sringara ritual of deities have not been performed because of this impasse.

Members of Datta Mohapatra Nijoga are planning to file a case in the court to resolve the matter.