Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple will remain shut for devotees for five hours Wednesday afternoon to observe a special ritual called ‘Chitalagi Amavasya’, officials said.
In a notification, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said, “On Wednesday, 12th August 2026, Shrabana Krushna Amavasya tithi, Chitalagi Niti of the Deities will be performed. Therefore, after the completion of the first bhoga mandapa offering, public darshan will remain temporarily suspended from 2 pm to 7 pm.
According to rituals, the ‘Chitalagi Amavasya’, observed on the new moon day of Sravana month, the trinity – Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath – are ceremonially adorned with their gem-studded golden chitas on the forehead. These ornaments were removed from the idols before the sibling deities came out of the temple for Snan Yatra and also the annual Rath Yatra.
The Chitalagi Amavasya is also observed across Odisha as an agrarian festival when the people prepare a special rice-based cake called ‘chitau pitha’.
The farmers later carry some cake to the agricultural fields and distribute it among insects and other aquatic animals staying in paddy fields.