Puri Jagannath Temple timings
According to the temple administration, the temple opens and darshan starts at around 5:30 AM, and darshan is available for most of the day until late night, with breaks for rituals. The published ritual schedule runs from 4:30 AM to Pahuda at 11:30 PM.
Important note about daily timings
The temple administration publishes a prescribed time for each ritual, but also states: It is generally not possible to follow the time prescribed for each ritual on account of certain practical difficulties.
Each ritual begins after the previous one ends, so delays carry through the day. Timings may change according to temple rituals, festivals and administrative arrangements. Confirm current information with the official temple administration before travelling.
Source: SJTA: Daily Rituals. Checked 2 October 2026.
Daily ritual schedule
The times below are those published on the temple administration's Daily Rituals page. The darshan column summarises its Darshan Facilities page. The highlighted row is the ritual the published schedule prescribes for the current time in Puri.
| Ritual | Published time | Darshan | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dwaraphita The doors of the sanctum are opened. | By 4:30 AM | No | SJTA |
| Mangala Alati The first lamp offering of the day. | 5:30 AM | Yes: SJTA says darshan starts at around 5:30 AM | SJTA |
| Mailam The previous night’s clothes and flowers are removed. | 6:00 AM | From the Jagamohana, until Besha is complete | SJTA |
| Abakasha Ritual cleaning of teeth and bathing, described by SJTA as using camphor, curd, amla and sandal paste. | 6:30 AM | From the Jagamohana, until Besha is complete | SJTA |
| Surya Puja Worship of the Sun. | 7:45 AM | From the Jagamohana until Besha is complete (about 7:30 to 8 AM) | SJTA |
| Gopala Ballabha Bhoga The breakfast offering; SJTA lists coconut sweets, fruits and curd among the items. | 8:30 AM | No: SJTA says darshan is unavailable from about 8 to 9:15 AM | SJTA |
| Sakala Dhupa The morning meal (also called Raja Bhoga), offered with sixteen upacharas. | 9 to 10 AM | Not stated by SJTA | SJTA |
| Bhoga Mandapa Offerings in the Bhoga Mandapa, followed later by Madhyahna Dhupa (the midday meal), for which SJTA publishes no fixed time. | 11:30 AM | From near the Jagamohana from about 2 PM, after Madhyahna Dhupa | SJTA |
| Sandhya Alati The evening lamp offering. | 6:00 PM | SJTA describes darshan from about 2 to 5:30 PM, up to completion of Sandhya Alati | SJTA |
| Sandhya Dhupa The evening meal offering, followed by Mailam and Chandanalagi (anointing with sandal paste mixed with camphor and saffron). | 6:30 to 8 PM | From about 8 to 9 PM, after Sandhya Dhupa until Chandanalagi is complete | SJTA |
| Badasinghara Besha The night attire of silk and flower ornaments. | 9 to 10 PM | Not stated by SJTA | SJTA |
| Badasinghara Dhupa The last food offering; SJTA lists watered rice, kadalibada and khiri among the items. | 10:30 to 11 PM | Not stated by SJTA | SJTA |
| Khataseja Lagi and Pahuda Khataseja Lagi, Pushpanjali, Pahuda, Muda and Sodha: the deities retire and the doors are sealed. | 11:30 PM | No | SJTA |
Madhyahna Dhupa, the midday meal, follows the Bhoga Mandapa offering; the administration describes it but publishes no fixed time. Mailam and Chandanalagi follow Sandhya Dhupa.
Darshan windows
- From about 5:30 AM until Besha is complete (about 7:30 to 8 AM): darshan from the Jagamohana.
- About 8 to 9:15 AM: no darshan, during Gopal Ballava Puja.
- About 2 to 5:30 PM: darshan from near the Jagamohana, after Madhyahna Dhupa until Sandhya Alati.
- About 8 to 9 PM: darshan after Sandhya Dhupa until Chandanalagi is complete.
Source: SJTA: Darshan Facilities. Checked 2 October 2026.
The administration does not describe darshan arrangements between these windows in detail. More on how darshan works is on the darshan and pooja page.
Why timings change
- Rituals run in sequence. A late start to one niti delays everything after it.
- Bhoga offerings. The sanctum is not open to view while the main food offerings are made.
- Crowds and administration. Queue and entry arrangements are set by the temple administration and police and can change.
Festival days
On festival days the ritual order changes completely, and some rituals take place outside the sanctum. The biggest changes come around Snana Purnima, Rath Yatra and Nabakalebara. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year, so check the temple administration's festival pages for the year you are travelling.
The Anasara period
According to the temple administration, after the Snana Yatra on the full moon of Jyeshtha (usually June), darshan is not possible for 15 days. If seeing the deities is the purpose of your trip, avoid this period. Read about Snana Purnima and Anasara.
Source: SJTA: FAQs. Checked 2 October 2026.
Before you visit
- Check the official website for festival dates and special notices.
- Allow for delays: rituals often run later than the published times.
- Leave phones, gadgets, umbrellas, leather items and footwear behind, or use the free stands near the Lion's Gate.
- Read the dress code and rules and the visit planner.
Common questions
What time does the Jagannath Temple open?
The temple administration says the temple opens and darshan starts at around 5:30 AM. Its published ritual schedule has the sanctum doors opened by 4:30 AM and Mangala Alati at 5:30 AM.
What time does it close at night?
The published schedule places the last rituals, including Pahuda, at 11:30 PM, after which the doors are sealed. In practice this is often later.
Is the temple closed in the afternoon?
Darshan pauses during some rituals. The temple administration describes darshan from near the Jagamohana from about 2 PM to 5:30 PM, after the midday offering.