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Entry of devotees into the Puri Jagannath Temple will be restricted and the darshan of the deities will remain out of bounds for five hours, starting from 5 pm to 10 pm today (March 5) due to the scheduled Banakalagi ritual, informed the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
Accordingly, the Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) repair work will be halted on the 5th and 6th of March to facilitate the rituals.
The Banakalagi ritual of the deities will take place after the completion of ‘Bhoga’ at the Second Bhoga Mandap. Since the rituals are held in secret and hold immense significance, entry for devotees and darshan will not be permitted.
What is Banakalagi Ritual of Lord Jagannath?
During the Bankalaji rituals, Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are adorned with a special makeover on the 'Ratnabedi.' The Dutta Mohapatra servitors carry out these sacred rituals, including the traditional ‘shringar’ or beautification, of the Sibling deities.
A repainting of the deities using organic colours derived from natural sources is part of the rituals. The vibrant hues include haritala (red), hengula (yellow), sankha (white), and kala (black), which are extracted from rare forest materials and applied with precision by the Dutta Mohapatra servitors.
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Status of Ratna Bhandar Repair Work:
In a related development, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated on Monday that the repair and restoration work of the Ratna Bhandar might require an extension of one or two months. The reason behind it was stated to be fresh discoveries of areas that require further repair.
Notably, the repair work of the Ratna Bhandar, which began in December last year, has been halted several times, including on days with a large influx of devotees like January 1. However, the minister dispelled any concerns regarding negligence and reiterated that all due processes were being followed.
ALSO READ: Delay in Puri Srimandir Ratna Bhandar repair works: More time needed, says Law Minister
Inventory Process Delayed:
In the same interaction, Prithviraj Harichandan also stated that the inventory process, which was expected to wrap up by March, would also require an extension. However, he assured that the counting of the inventory would be completed before the annual Rath Yatra.
