Bhubaneswar, April 23 -- https://images.odishatv.in/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_0/recent_photo_1736736827.jpg
The holy Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain closed to devotees from 5 pm to 10 pm today (April 23) for the sacred Banakalagi ritual. Notably, this sacred ritual is performed in secret and involves the ceremonial repainting of the deities, and is also considered to be a vital tradition aimed at maintaining the sanctity of the idols.
Banakalagi, translating to 'applying fresh colours,' involves adorning the deities, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Maa Subhadra, with natural pigments such as hingula (red), haritala (yellow), sankha (white), kasturi (black), and other organic substances.
The ritual is performed by the ...