Bhubaneswar, Oct 13: The Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain closed to devotees for four hours on Wednesday evening to conduct the sacred Banakalagi ritual of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced that darshan of the deities will be suspended from 6 pm to 10 pm during the ceremony.

The Banakalagi Niti, also known as Shrimukha Sringara, is a traditional ritual performed either on a Wednesday or Thursday, where fresh natural colours are applied to the faces of the deities to renew their divine appearance. Ingredients such as Hingula (red pigment), Haritala (yellow pigment), Kasturi (musk), Keshar (saffron), and the glue of Kaintha fruit are used to prepare the sacred “Banaka.”

As per long-standing temple traditions, the ritual is performed by the Dutta Mohapatra and Khadiprasad Daitapati servitors inside the garbhagruha (sanctum sanctorum). During this period, the temple doors remain closed, and no outsiders are allowed inside, ensuring the sanctity of the divine ceremony.

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