Why in news?
Two recent developments have brought the Jagannath temple into the news. In Jharkhand, President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a new Jagannath temple and cultural centre in Jamshedpur on 26 February 2026. Meanwhile, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri has announced that public darshan will be suspended for four hours on 11 February 2026 to perform the sacred Banakalagi Niti ritual.
Background
The original Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha, was built in the twelfth century by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath (an incarnation of Vishnu), his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, it is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites revered by Hindus. The temple’s annual Rath Yatra (chariot festival) attracts millions of devotees from around the world. The Mahaprasad cooked in its kitchens is considered sacred and feeds thousands of pilgrims daily.
Jamshedpur project
- Location and design: The new temple will be constructed on Marine Drive along the Kadma‑Sonari stretch beside the Kharkai and Subarnarekha rivers. Spread across 2.5 acres, it will feature stone architecture reminiscent of the Puri temple.
- Purpose: The project, undertaken by the Shri Jagannath Spiritual & Cultural Charitable Centre Trust, aims to create a pilgrimage hub for devotees from Jharkhand, Bihar, Bengal and Odisha. It is expected to boost religious tourism and cultural activities in the region.
- Dignitaries: President Murmu will lay the foundation and perform the Bhoomi Pujan (ground‑breaking ceremony), underscoring the temple’s national significance.
Banakalagi Niti at Puri
- Ritual details: The Banakalagi Niti, meaning “facial adornment,” involves applying natural colours to the faces of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshana on the temple’s Ratna Bedi (altar). Ingredients include vermilion (hingula), orpiment (haritala), powdered conch shell, musk and saffron.
- Timing and closure: The ritual is performed roughly twice a month on Wednesdays. On 11 February 2026 public darshan will be suspended from approximately 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. while the sevayats (servitors) conduct the ceremony.
- Procedure: After the colour application, the deities undergo a Mahasnana (grand ceremonial bath), and the temple doors are reopened for devotees.
Significance
- Preserving tradition: Rituals like Banakalagi Niti maintain the sanctity and aesthetic of the deities, reflecting centuries‑old temple customs.
- Expanding cultural outreach: Building a Jagannath temple in Jamshedpur will extend the shrine’s spiritual reach beyond Odisha and cater to devotees who cannot travel to Puri.
- Religious tourism: Both the new temple and periodic rituals attract pilgrims, supporting local economies and promoting cultural heritage.
Conclusion
The twin developments in Jamshedpur and Puri illustrate how the Jagannath tradition continues to evolve. While the Banakalagi ritual reinforces ancient practices, the new temple reflects efforts to bring the deity closer to devotees across eastern India.
Sources: NOA
