Puri, June 3 (BNP): Darshan of the Holy Trinity at the revered Jagannath Temple will remain suspended for devotees for four hours on Wednesday evening due to the performance of the sacred Banakalagi ritual.
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According to temple sources, public darshan will be closed from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM to facilitate the conduct of the traditional Banakalagi Niti, a special ritual in which the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are adorned with fresh natural colours and medicinal substances.
The ritual is performed by the Dutta Mohapatra servitors following prescribed temple traditions and is considered one of the important periodic ceremonies of the Jagannath Temple. During the process, devotees are not allowed inside the sanctum area, and general darshan remains restricted until the ritual is completed.
Temple authorities have appealed to devotees to plan their visit accordingly and cooperate with the arrangements. Darshan is expected to resume after 10:00 PM once the Banakalagi ritual and related temple rites are concluded.
The Banakalagi ritual holds significant religious importance as it involves the renewal and preservation of the divine appearance of the deities using traditional herbal and natural ingredients, in accordance with centuries-old customs of the Jagannath cult.
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