Puri, Jan 6: The sacred Banakalagi ritual Mahaprabhu will be performed at the Srimandir on Wednesday. In view of the special ritual, restrictions on public darshan will remain in force during the afternoon hours, temple authorities informed.

The Banakalagi ritual, during which the deities are adorned with special herbal applications, will be conducted after the second Bhoga Mandap offering. During this period, darshan of the deities will remain completely closed for devotees. The ritual will be performed by the Dattamahapatra servitors as per the temple tradition.

After completion of the Banakalagi, the servitors will come out of the sanctum sanctorum, following which Singhasana Dhua (cleansing of the altar), Mahasnana (ceremonial bath), and other associated rituals will be observed. Public darshan will resume thereafter.

This Banakalagi is being held after a gap of 34 days. The previous Banakalagi ritual was performed on December 3, while the next has been scheduled for January 7.

According to temple tradition, the Banakalagi ritual restores the divine radiance of Mahaprabhu’s face and is considered an important part of the temple’s ceremonial calendar.