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. Also Read : Puri Jagannath Temple carries out Ratna Bhandar inventory as per SOPThe Chitalagi Amavasya is also observed across Odisha as an agrarian festival when the people prepare a special rice-based cake called ‘chitau pitha’.