Darshan Suspended at Puri Srimandir for Banakalagi Ritual
Puri: Devotees visiting Shree Jagannath Temple today will face a temporary suspension of darshan as the sacred Banakalagi ritual is being performed.
The temple administration has announced that darshan will remain closed from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, following the Dwitiya Bhogamandapa Bhog.
The Banakalagi ritual, also known as Shrimukha Shringara, involves adorning the divine faces of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra with natural substances such as hingula (vermilion), haritala (yellow orpiment), karpura (camphor), and kasturi (musk).
This age‑old tradition is carried out by the hereditary Datta Mahapatra servitors to enhance the deities’ radiance and beauty.
Temple authorities have requested devotees to plan their visit either before 6 PM or after 10 PM to avoid inconvenience.
The administration emphasised that the ritual is an integral part of Jagannath culture and sought the cooperation of all visitors to ensure its smooth conduct.
