The renowned Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha, will temporarily close its doors to devotees today, Wednesday, for five hours in the evening for the Banakalagi ritual. During this period, visitors will not be permitted to view the deities on the Ratnabedi.
This event coincides with Asadha Sukla Purnima (Vyasa Purnima), during which the temple will perform the Banakalagi Niti. Consequently, public access will be restricted from approximately 7 PM to 11 PM. Devotees are encouraged to plan their visits accordingly.
Following the completion of the second Bhogamandap Bhoga, the Banakalagi rituals are set to take place between 7 PM and 11 PM, during which time access to Mahaprabhu will be barred for worshippers. This information has been confirmed by the temple administration.
Traditionally, the Banakalagi ritual is conducted on Wednesdays or Thursdays and is considered a secret rite. It involves securing all temple entrances following the Dwipahara Dhupa.
The Dattamahapatras ascend to the Ratna Singhasana to perform the Srimukha Sringar, which takes roughly four hours. Throughout this period, all temple doors remain securely closed. The ‘Banakalagi’ refers to the decorative makeup applied to the faces of the three deities.
A specialized group of servitors known as Datta Mahapatra are responsible for preparing the colors for the Srimukh Sringar and applying them to the deities’ faces. Unique dyes, along with luxurious fragrances such as musk and saffron, are utilized, as commercially available pigments are not permitted within the temple.
A designated room, referred to as the Banakalagi house, is located on the northern side of the inner circumference (Bhitara Bedha) for the preparation of these special colors. White is derived from crushed shells, yellow from Haritala, and black from Hingula. Camphor and saffron are mixed into these dyes, enhancing the brightness and smoothness of the deities’ faces.
