Puri, Odisha : The famous Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri will witness the sacred ‘Banaka lagi’ ritual this Thursday, coinciding with Krishna Saptami of the Shravan month. Temple authorities have announced that general darshan for devotees will remain suspended for approximately four hours during this ceremonial observance.
The ritual, known for its secrecy and sanctity, is conducted in the afternoon after the dhupa (incense) ceremony, during which all temple doors are closed. Only designated servitors—Datt Mahapatra and Khadiprasad Daitapatis—perform the ritual.
During Ban Kalagi, the servitors carefully prepare the colors used to adorn the deity’s face. These colors, including kasturi (musk) and kesar (saffron), are specially prepared and are not commercially available in the market, ensuring the ritual’s purity. In temple parlance, the decoration is referred to as ‘Shrimukh Shringar’, symbolizing divine beauty and sanctity.
The Datt Mahapatra servitors ascend the Ratna Singhasan (jewel-studded throne) to perform the decoration on Lord Jagannath’s face, while Khadiprasad Daitapati servitors assist in this sacred process. Devotees visiting the temple are advised to plan their darshan accordingly as the doors will remain closed during the ritual.
The Banaka lagi ritual remains a revered and mysterious tradition, preserving the rich spiritual heritage of the Jagannath Temple and offering devotees a glimpse into the exclusive sanctum of the deity’s worship.
