Puri’s Shree Jagannath Temple will observe the sacred Banakalagi ritual for the sibling deities today, coinciding with Jyeshtha Krishna Mala Chaturthi Tithi. This traditional ceremony involves the Dutta Mahapatra servitors performing the Shrimukha Singhar, a facial adornment of the deities, within the temple’s sanctum sanctorum.
The ritual preparations are set to commence following the second Bhogamandap ritual in the afternoon. A variety of customary ingredients such as hingula, haritala, conch powder, saffron, camphor, kaitha gum, kasturi, and black pigment will be applied during the adornment process. These elements are believed to enhance the divine appearance of the deities.
Due to the ritual, public darshan at the temple will be temporarily suspended from 6 PM to 10 PM to allow uninterrupted performance of the ceremonies. The precise timing of the Banakalagi ritual will be determined based on the day’s overall schedule of worship and rituals.
Further official details regarding the event’s timing and proceedings are awaited.
This local update is prepared from publicly available information. Readers should verify critical details from official communication where necessary.