General darshan suspended from 2 PM to 7 PM for Chitalagi Amavasya rituals
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Puri, Aug. 11: Devotees visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Wednesday, August 12, will face a temporary five-hour suspension of general darshan due to the observance of Chitalagi Amavasya rituals.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) announced that public darshan will remain suspended from 2 PM to 7 PM to facilitate the traditional Chitalagi Niti of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
According to the temple administration, the special ritual will be performed on the Shravana Krishna Amavasya tithi. General darshan will be stopped after the completion of the first Bhoga Mandapa offering.
Deities to Be Adorned With Golden Chitas
Chitalagi Amavasya, also known as Chitau Amavasya, is an important traditional festival in Odisha observed on the new moon day of the month of Shravan.
As part of the ritual at Srimandir, the three presiding deities are adorned with their distinctive gem-studded golden Chitas, which are ceremonially placed on their foreheads.
The Chitas are traditionally removed before Snana Purnima, ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, and are placed back on the deities during the Chitalagi Amavasya rituals.
The special adornment is one of the significant rituals associated with the festival and attracts considerable attention among devotees.
Festival Also Linked to Chitau Pitha
Chitalagi Amavasya is also closely associated with Chitau Pitha, a traditional Odia delicacy made primarily from rice.
The special rice-based pancake is prepared in households across Odisha as part of the festival’s observance, adding a distinctive culinary tradition to the religious celebrations.
Devotees planning to visit Srimandir on August 12 have been advised to take note of the five-hour darshan restriction and plan their temple visit accordingly.