Banaka Lagi Ritual Begins in Srimandir; Darshan Restricted for 4 Hrs

Puri: Darshan at Puri Srimandir is restricted as ‘Banaka Lagi’ or Srimukha Sringara ritual of Lord Jagannath and his siblings begins.

In view of the secret rituals, the general darshan of the sibling deities will be restricted for about four hours from 5 PM to 9 PM, according to the temple administration.

The formal procedure will be performed on the second Bhoga Mandap behind the Garuda pillar of Jagamohan. Only a small group of servitors will be allowed inside the ‘Garba Gruha’ or sanctum sanctorum for the special ritual.

As per tradition, the ‘Shrimukha Shringara’ rituals of the sibling deities are generally held seven to eight times a year starting with the one after the Niladri Bije ritual following Rath Yatra.

According to cultural experts, Banaka Lagi derives its name from ‘Bana’ which means forest and ‘Lagi’ means to apply. Certain and rare forest produces 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. The secret ritual takes a few hours of judicious painting.