Puri: A long impasse on holding Banakalagi Niti of deities at Srimandir in Puri ended today as the ritual will be conducted tomorrow.

This was decided following discussion between the servitors' body and Shree Jagannath Temple Administration here today.

Sources said that Dutta Mohapatra Nijog servitors, Srimandir Managing Committee members, Daitapati Nijog servitors, temple administration and Puri district collector reached a consensus on holding Banakalagi Niti of deities.

As per the decision, the Banakalagi ritual will be held tomorrow i.e. on Wednesday.

The infighting between temple administration and Dutta Mohapatra Nijog had delayed the conduct of Banakalagi Niti of Lord Jagannath since Niladri Bije following 11-day long Ratha Jatra.

While the SJTA had fixed Wednesday the auspicious day for holding Banakalagi Niti of deities, the servitors' body was pressing hard to conduct the ritual on Thursday.

According to reports, the Banakalagi Niti is being conducted on Wednesday as per the decision by Srimandir Managing Committee since 2018.

However, the servitors of Dutta Mohapatra Nijog of Puri Srimandir were demanding to reschedule the ritual for Thursday. In their opinion, there is a clear mention about Banakalagi Niti in Srimandir Record of Rights recommending Thursday to conduct the ritual.

But, the temple administration clarified the reason behind conducting Banakalagi Niti on Wednesday.

The SJTA stated that as there is another ritual named 'Ekanta Majana Niti' scheduled on Thursday, the devotees will be restricted to have darshan of deities and other rituals will be delayed if the Banakalagi Niti is conducted on Thursday, sources said.

Despite it, the Dutta Mohapatra Nijog stood stick to their demand and amid conflict between the SJTA and servitors' body, the ritual of deities could not be held.

Last week, the temple administration had served a showcause notice to Dutta Mohapatra Nijog over disruption in Banakalagi ritual. The notice was issued under sections 20 and 30 of Shri Jagannath Temple Act seeking reply within four days.

Following the notice, the servitors' body discussed with the temple administration and agreed to carry out the ritual on Wednesday.