The sacred Banakalagi Niti, the secret facial ritual of the Holy Trinity, is set to be performed at the Jagannath Temple today on the occasion of Magha Krishna Chaturthi.
According to the temple administration, public darshan will remain suspended for five hours, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, to facilitate this esoteric service. The ritual will commence following the completion of the Second Bhogamandap.
During this "secret policy" (Gupta Nithi), the Jai Vijay Dwar will be closed to all. The Dutta Mahapatra Sevaks will meticulously adorn the deities using traditional, natural pigments. These organic colors, including Hingul, Harital, Kasturi, white, and black, are specially prepared to restore the divine glow of the idols.
Devotees will be allowed back into the shrine for darshan once the rituals conclude after 10:00 PM.