Due to the secret’senapata lagi’ ritual, the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri has been closed to devotees until 3 p.m. today.
The ritual is carried out to protect the Lords’ bodies during their Pahandi Bije (procession) to the Snana Mandap (bathing altar).
During the’senapata lagi’ ritual, the Daitapati servitors apply a paste made of Baula Katha (baula tree wood) to the Lords’ bodies.