Puri, Nov 13: The sacred Banakalagi ritual of Lord Jagannath will be performed at the Shrimandir on Thursday. As part of the ritual, Dattamahapatra servitors will adorn and anoint the divine face (Shrimukha Singhar) of the Lord with traditional herbal and mineral mixtures.

According to an official statement from the Shrimandir Administration, devotees will not be allowed to have darshan of the deities between 6 PM and 10 PM due to the performance of this special ritual.

Preparations for the Banakalagi ceremony begin a day in advance at the temple. On Thursday, following the completion of the second Bhogamandap ritual, the Banakalagi rituals will commence inside the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha).

During the ceremony, the Dattamahapatra servitors will use natural ingredients such as hingula (red pigment), harital (yellow pigment), conch powder, saffron, camphor, kaitha gum, kasturi, and black pigment to beautify the Lord’s visage. These substances are believed to enhance the divine radiance and grace (Shrivrudhi) of the deities.

Apart from the Dattamahapatras, several other servitors — including Palia Pujapanda, Palia Khuntia, Garabadu, Palia Pushpalaka, Changda Mekap, and Muduli — will play key roles in the conduct of the ritual.

The temple administration has informed that the exact timing of the Banakalagi ritual will be finalized based on the day’s temple schedule.