Puri, Aug 11: Public darshan at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain closed for five hours on Wednesday due to the sacred Chitalagi Amavasya ritual, the temple administration has informed.

According to the temple administration, Wednesday marks Shravana Krishna Amavasya, when the special Chitalagi ritual of the Holy Trinity will be performed inside the temple. As part of the ritual, general devotees will not be allowed darshan from 2 pm to 7 pm.

The ritual will be performed after the completion of the first Bhogamandap Bhog. The Chitalagi ceremony is considered one of the important rituals observed at the Srimandir.

What is Chitalagi Ritual?

During the Chitalagi ritual, gem-studded golden Chitas are placed on the foreheads of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. These ornaments are removed from the deities during Snana Purnima as a safety measure and are restored during the Chitalagi Amavasya ritual.

The Daitapati servitors, with assistance from the Bhandar Mekap and Patra Bisoi servitors, perform the ritual of placing the Chitas back on the deities.

Following the completion of the first Bhogamandap Bhog, Sridevi and Bhudevi are taken from the Ratna Singhasana to the Khata Seja Ghar. The Jhoba Mailam ritual is then performed, after which the Jaya-Vijaya Door is closed.

After the Amavasya deity, who had proceeded to the sea, returns to the Srimandir, the Pati Mahapatra and Badagrahi Daitas perform the Chitalagi ritual for the deities seated on the Ratna Singhasana.

Three golden Chitas are then placed on the upper portion of the foreheads of the Holy Trinity and firmly secured with silk threads and traditional materials as part of the sacred ritual.

The temporary five-hour restriction on public darshan is being imposed to facilitate the smooth and secure conduct of this confidential temple ritual.