Sevayat controversy in Puri Jagannath Temple rituals halted, negotiations underway
Rituals of sibling deities at Jagannath Temple in Odisha's pilgrim town of Puri were halted on Friday in protest when a Pushpalaka sevayat (Singhari) who had been forbidden from offering rituals forced his way inside the 12th-century shrine's sanctum sanctorum.
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Puri: Rituals of sibling deities at Jagannath Temple in Odisha's pilgrim town of Puri were halted on Friday in protest when a Pushpalaka sevayat (Singhari) who had been forbidden from offering rituals forced his way inside the 12th-century shrine's sanctum sanctorum.
Due to the argument, no rituals have been performed at Srimandir following Mailam Niti, according to sources.
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) personnel arrived at the temple following the incident. To tackle the issue, they are holding negotiations with the servitors of various nijogs. "Despite a restriction, the servitor attempted to provide service at the sanctum sanctorum." This has disrupted rituals, and efforts are being made to resolve the issue," SJTA Chief Administrator Ranjan Kumar Das told the media.
An investigation into the event will be launched, and those responsible for the disturbance will face severe penalties, he stressed.
"It is Saptapuri Amavasya today." Everyone suffers as a result of the pause in rites on this auspicious occasion. The temple management and top servitors are discussing resuming the rites," stated Mahasuar servitor Ganeswar Mahasuar.
According to a Puja Panda sevayat, the Singhari servitor was prevented from performing ceremonies at Srimdair by the concerned nijog since he married a woman of another caste. "This is a rule of the nijog," he added.
According to accounts, the protesting servitors are demanding 'Maha Snana' (great purification) of the deities before rituals may resume.
