Puri: In view of ‘Banakalagi’ rituals of the deities at Jagannath Temple in Puri, the general ‘darshan’ will be restricted for five hours Wednesday, a source said Tuesday.
According to the source, the servitors are set to perform Banakalagi, a secret ritual of the Holy Trinity, from 6pm to 11pm following the completion of ‘Madhyahna Dhupa’ (Midday Bhoga) rituals. All four entrance gates of the 12th-century shrine will remain closed for the devotees during those five hours.
The source informed that the Banakalagi ritual has not been observed this year after Niladribije ritual following a dispute between Datta Mahapatra servitors and SJTA (Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration) over the day on which the ritual should be conducted.
While Datta Mahapatra servitors insisted the ritual to be held Thursday, SJTA wanted it Wednesday, the source informed.
Drawing a closure to the logjam, Srimandir Managing Committee August 4 agreed to conduct the ritual twice a month on Wednesdays, the source added.
As per SJTA website, the term ‘Banakalagi’ denotes painting of images. The rite is scheduled to be performed each Wednesday or Thursday. Three Datta Mahapatra servitors after grinding the Banaka (paste), climb up the Holy throne and perform the Banaklagi ritual. After the ritual is over, the Datta Mahapatras get down from the throne.
PNN