Puri, 12/Aug/2025 – The famed Puri Jagannath Temple will observe a temporary suspension of public darshan today as the revered ‘Rahu Rekha Lagi’ ritual was performed on the Trinity Deities. From 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM, the temple will be closed to devotees so that the confidential and essential ritual can take place without interruption.
The ritual takes place on Rekha Panchami, the fifth day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravana. During the ceremony, a sacred golden strip—Rahu Rekha—is meticulously applied across the Deities’ faces as a protective ornament symbolizing cosmic alignment and spiritual safeguarding.
Once the Bhoga Mandap ritual concludes, the ceremony is conducted by temple attendants such as the Daitapati, Mahajana Sevaks, and Palia servitors. Initially, the ‘Bije’ ceremony is held for Sridevi and Bhudevi at the Ratna Simhasana, followed by the sanskara preparation involving a sacred lepa—a paste made of sesame oil and a special binding agent called Jhuna Gunda. This is then placed on the Deities’ foreheads before the golden Rahu Rekha adornment is affixed—first to Balabhadra, then Jagannath, and finally Subhadra.
Respecting the ritual’s sanctity, the main entrance known as the Jaya Vijaya Dwara was kept closed for the entire duration. Only after the conclusion of the Mahasnana, the ceremonial bathing of the Deities, was public darshan restored.
This centuries-old tradition emphasizes the temple’s unwavering commitment to upholding spiritual purity and preserving the divine sanctity of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. Devotees are encouraged to plan their temple visits considering such sacred closures, which remain indispensable to the shrine’s annual ritual calendar.
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