Only a small group of ‘pujaris’ will be allowed inside the ‘garbha gruha (sanctum sanctorum) for the rituals, Kalinga TV reports.

Puri: The Shree Mandir at Puri will remain closed for 4 hours  today due to ‘Banaka Lagi’ ritual.

Public relation officer Laxmidhar Puja Panda said that devotees will not be allowed to have a ‘darshan’ of the deities during 4 pm to 8 pm.

Jay Vijay entrance gates of the 12th-century shrine will remain closed for the devotees in view of the Banaka Lagi ritual, during the four hours to maintain the secrecy of the tradition.

A temple servitor said that Banaka Lagi is a ritual in which fresh colours are applied to the idols. Datta Mohapatra servitors will carry out the ritual on a hereditary tradition after completion of the afternoon rituals.

Only a small group of ‘pujaris’ will be allowed inside the ‘garbha gruha (sanctum sanctorum) for the rituals.

Image sources: Wikipedia