Senapata Lagi Ritual Begins at Puri Srimandir; Darshan Suspended Till 2 PM

Bhubaneswar: Rituals form the spiritual heartbeat of the Puri Jagannath Temple, where tradition and devotion converge through centuries-old ceremonies. Among these sacred rites, the Senapata Lagi ritual holds special significance as the temple gears up for the upcoming Snana Yatra and Ratha Yatra festivals.

Currently underway at the Srimandir, the Senapata Lagi ritual involves adorning Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra with Senapata Bastra—a sacred armour made from divine Baula wood. This ceremonial attire is believed to shield the deities and prepare them for their public appearance during the Snana Yatra.

The Jagannath Temple’s ritual practices, known as nitis, are broadly classified into daily, occasional, and festive categories. Daily nitis include regular offerings and prayers, while occasional nitis are performed on days like Ekadasi and Amavasya. Festive nitis, such as Snana Yatra and Ratha Yatra, are celebrated with grandeur and devotion, often drawing lakhs of devotees.

As per tradition, the deities will be taken from the Ratna Singhasan to the Snana Mandap in a ceremonial procession called Pahandi ahead of the Snana Yatra scheduled for Wednesday. To prepare for this auspicious event, the Senapata Lagi is being performed with strict spiritual discipline.

In light of the ongoing rituals, public darshan has been suspended until 2 PM on Tuesday. The temple gates were closed to devotees after the Alati Pahuda ceremony on Monday night, allowing priests to carry out the sacred ritual without interruption.

Temple authorities have urged devotees to cooperate and respect the sanctity of the rituals, which are integral to maintaining the spiritual rhythm of the Srimandir and ensuring the divine presence of Lord Jagannath remains undisturbed during the sacred preparations.