Know all about Chitalagi Amavasya rituals to be observed at Puri Srimandir today

The ‘Chitalagi’ ritual will be observed at the Puri Srimandir on the occasion of Chitalagi Amavasya on Thursday. During this centuries-old secret ritual, the divine forehead ornaments, known as ‘Chita’, are ceremonially placed on Mahaprabhu Jagannath and His siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

Celebrated on the new moon day of the Shravan month, ‘Chitalagi’ is one of the most significant rituals in the Jagannath temple tradition. The term Chitalagi literally means ‘attaching the Chita’, the crowning forehead jewel worn by each of the deities.

While Lord Jagannath is adorned with the sparkling ‘Hira Chita’ (diamond), Lord Balabhadra wears the ‘Nila Chita’ (blue sapphire), and Devi Subhadra is decorated with the ‘Manika Chita’ (ruby). These precious ornaments are removed every year on Snana Purnima and are ritually restored on Chitalagi Amavasya.

The ritual is performed secretly by the Patimohapatra and Badagrahi servitors inside the sanctum sanctorum. During this time, the Jay Vijay Dwara remains closed, and the temple is off-limits to the public. The Chitas are affixed using Osua (resin) and Pata Dora (silk thread), followed by a ceremonial Mahasnana or divine bath.

The day is also observed in households across Odisha as an agrarian festival, with offerings of Chitau Pitha to Lord Jagannath, marking both devotion and gratitude to nature.