Puri, May 20: At Shree Jagannath Temple, the sacred Banakalagi ritual of the sibling deities will be held today on the occasion of Jyeshtha Krishna Mala Chaturthi Tithi. As part of the special ritual, the Dutta Mahapatra servitors will perform the Shrimukha Singhar (facial adornment) of the deities inside the sanctum sanctorum.

In view of the ritual, public darshan at the temple will remain suspended from 6 PM to 10 PM. Preparations for Banakalagi will begin after the second Bhogamandap ritual in the afternoon.

Traditional ingredients including hingula, haritala, conch powder, saffron, camphor, kaitha gum, kasturi and black pigment will be used during the adornment ceremony. The ritual is believed to enhance the divine appearance of the deities.

Temple authorities said the exact timing of the Banakalagi ritual will be finalised as per the day’s schedule of rituals and worship.