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Hans India
13-05-2025
- Hans India
SJTA suspends senior servitor for 30 days
Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Sunday suspended senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmahapatra for 30 days and barred him from entering the 12th-century Puri temple after he attended the consecration ceremony of Digha Jagannath Temple in West Bengal and was accused of indiscipline. An official statement by SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee said Dasmahapatra had been suspended from all temple duties and prohibited from performing rituals at the Puri Jagannath Temple for a month. Dasmahapatra, who also serves as the secretary of the Daitapati Nijog — a group of servitors who act as the ceremonial bodyguards of the deities during the annual Rath Yatra — has been instructed not to influence or threaten any servitor or individual in an attempt to obstruct temple services or rituals during the suspension period. 'If he does so, the suspension period will be extended and stricter disciplinary action will be taken. During this period, the commander and senior supervisor of the temple will regularly report to Padhee on Dasmahapatra's conduct,' the statement added. The order also stated that if Dasmahapatra's 'disorderly' behaviour is observed during the suspension period and thereafter, the temple administration will cancel or suspend the allowances/pay/awards he is entitled. Prior to the disciplinary action, the SJTA had issued two show-cause notices to Dasmahapatra. The first, dated May 4, directed him to explain within seven days why he allegedly violated temple tradition by crafting idols for the Digha Jagannath Temple using sacred wood collected during the Nabakalebara festival in 2015 — an act that hurt the religious sentiments of devotees worldwide. He was also questioned for allegedly making 'disorderly' and 'irresponsible' remarks on a Bengali television channel, where he initially claimed to have crafted the idols for Digha temple with the surplus sacred wood of Puri temple. However, he later denied the allegation. The State government, through an inquiry, found that the idols for Digha temple were crafted by a carpenter in Bhubaneswar, State Law Minister Pritihiviarj Harichandan had told reporters. A second notice was issued on May 9, asking Dasmahapatra to explain why he attended the consecration event at the Digha temple in his capacity as a Puri servitor, and whether he objected to the temple being referred to as a 'Dham' by the Digha Jagannath Temple Trust. Chief Administrator Padhee emphasised the decision aims to uphold order and discipline within the temple premises. 'It is the duty of all of us to uphold the tradition, rituals and dignity of the temple keeping self above pride and arrogance and this should be a demonstration of our devotion to Lord Jagannath. In the coming days also, no kind of disorder will be tolerated,' Padhee said.
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
SJTA suspends Dasmohapatra for one month over Digha temple row
PURI: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Sunday suspended secretary of Daitapati Nijog and senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra for a month over his involvement in the consecration ceremony of Digha Jagannath temple in West Bengal. Dasmohapatra was placed under suspension after SJTA issued him two show cause notices over his statement on the use of surplus sacred Nabakalebara wood of Srimandir in crafting idols of the Digha temple and his participation in the inauguration ceremony despite being aware that it is being called Jagannath Dham. The suspension order was passed against Dasmohapatra as he has denigrated the image of Srimandir, said a press release issued by SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee. The senior servitor has been prohibited from rendering religious service and entering the 12th century shrine during the suspension period. The order also stated that during the period, Dasmohapatra should not try to intimidate members of his Nijog and other persons connected with the incident to disrupt the rituals of Srimandir. If the directions are violated, the suspension period will increase, and stringent action will be taken against him.
Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Indian Express
Senior Puri Jagannath temple servitor who took part in Digha shrine consecration suspended for 30 days
TEN DAYS after he attended the inauguration of a Jagannath temple in West Bengal's Digha, a senior servitor at the Puri Jagannath temple was on Sunday suspended by the temple authorities for a month for 'demeaning the sanctity and dignity' of the 12th century shrine, one among the four dhams in Hinduism. According to the suspension order issued by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra has been debarred from participating in any temple ritual and also from entering into temple premises for 30 days. Officials said the disciplinary action has been initiated as per the provisions of the Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955. The order also warned against any attempt to influence or intimidate other servitors or individuals which will impact the rituals of the temple. If he makes any such attempt, the suspension period will be extended, according to the order. Instruction has also been issued to monitor his behaviour during the suspension period. 'The action has been initiated to ensure discipline in the Jagannath Temple. It's the duty of everyone to uphold the sanctity of the shrine and traditions. Any kind of indiscipline will not be tolerated,' said Padhee. Dasmohapatra, a senior servitor of Daitapati Nijog — the group that performs special rituals during the annual Rath Yatra — had participated in the inauguration of the Digha temple on April 30, and made some 'contradictory statements' for which the SJTA had issued him a show-cause notice on May 4. The senior servitor was asked to explain the allegations regarding his interview to the media in West Bengal in which he claimed to have provided idols for the new shrine that were made from the leftover wood from the Nabakalebara rituals held in 2015. Nabakalebara is a sacred ritual in which the wooden idols of the sibling deities are replaced with new ones at the 12th century shrine. The ritual is performed at an interval of 12 or 19 years, coinciding with astronomical considerations. As his claims triggered a row, Dasmohapatra later contradicted his statement, saying that the idols were not made of the leftover wood from the Nabakalebara ritual, and that he had supervised the crafting of the idols for the Digha temple. An internal probe by the temple administration also found that no leftover wood from the Nabakalebara ritual was used for crafting idols for the Digha shrine. 'The contradictory statements created confusion among devotees of Lord Jagannath, hurt their sentiments and tarnished the dignity of the 12th century Puri Jagannath Temple,' said an official. On May 9, the SJTA issued another show-cause to Dasmohapatra asking him to explain how, being a senior servitor, he participated in the consecration ceremony of the Digha temple despite it being named as 'Jagannath Dham'. Naming of the Digha temple as Jagannth Dham has triggered a row with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi recently asking his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee to reconsider the decision, saying that referring to the new shrine as Dham dilutes 'Puri's distinct heritage'. Puri's erstwhile royal and chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee Dibyasingha Deb had also stated that referring to the Digha temple as a dham amounts to violation of 'scriptural injunctions and long-established tradition'.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Puri temple admn suspends servitor for ‘role' in Digha shrine row
1 2 Bhubaneswar/Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Sunday suspended Daitapati servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra for 30 days, barring his entry to the temple during the period for his role in the controversy surrounding Digha Jagannath temple's naming as 'Jagannath Dham'.Dasmohapatra, who is currently the secretary of Puri temple's Daitapati Nijog (a prominent association of servitors), faced disciplinary action for two specific violations — his false claim regarding the use of surplus neem wood from Puri temple's Nabakalebara ritual to create idols for the Digha shrine, and staying silent about the naming of the temple as 'Jagannath Dham' while attending its consecration ceremony on April 30. The suspension followed after he failed to give satisfactory answers to two show-cause notices. "Temple chief administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee suspended the senior servitor from his duties for one month. During this suspension period, Dasmohapatra is prohibited from participating in any service or rituals, and is not allowed to enter the temple," SJTA said in a order stipulates that Dasmohapatra must not influence or intimidate other servitors or interfere with temple services and rituals. Any violation could result in extended suspension and stricter penalties, the notice stated. The temple commander and senior supervisor will monitor and report his behaviour to the chief administrator."The administration reserves the right to cancel or withhold Dasmohapatra's dues and rewards if any misconduct is observed during or after the suspension period," the order repeated attempts, Dasmohapatra could not be contacted for his comment. On May 4, SJTA had asked Dasmohapatra to explain within seven days his controversial media statement about facilitating idol creation for the Digha temple using surplus neem wood from the Puri shrine. His statement had caused a stir, leading to a govt investigation that subsequently disproved his May 9, he was issued with a fresh notice and asked to explain within 48 hours whether he had expressed his opposition to naming the Digha shrine as 'Jagannath Dham' while attending its consecration ceremony."We found his replies unsatisfactory and took disciplinary action following the Shri Jagannath Temple Act of 1955," a temple official to Padhee, "This action has been taken to maintain discipline in the temple. It is everyone's duty to uphold the temple's traditions and dignity without pride or arrogance. Every servitor should be dedicated to Lord Jagannath. There will be zero tolerance to misconduct." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Puri Jagannath temple suspends senior servitor, denies him entry to shrine for 30 days
Puri/Kolkata, The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration on Sunday suspended senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra for 30 days and barred him from entering the 12th-century Puri temple after he attended the consecration ceremony of Digha Jagannath Temple in West Bengal and was accused of indiscipline. An official statement by SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee said Dasmahapatra had been suspended from all temple duties and prohibited from performing rituals at the Puri Jagannath Temple for a month. Dasmohapatra, who also serves as the secretary of the Daitapati Nijog — a group of servitors who act as the ceremonial bodyguards of the deities during the annual Rath Yatra — has been instructed not to influence or threaten any servitor or individual in an attempt to obstruct temple services or rituals during the suspension period. "If he does so, the suspension period will be extended and stricter disciplinary action will be taken. During this period, the commander and senior supervisor of the temple will regularly report to Padhee on Dasmahapatra's conduct," the statement added. The order also stated that if Dasmohapatra's "disorderly" behaviour is observed during the suspension period and thereafter, the temple administration will cancel or suspend the allowances/pay/awards he is entitled. Prior to the disciplinary action, the SJTA had issued two show-cause notices to Dasmahapatra. The first, dated May 4, directed him to explain within seven days why he allegedly violated temple tradition by crafting idols for the Digha Jagannath Temple using sacred wood collected during the Nabakalebara festival in 2015 — an act that hurt the religious sentiments of devotees worldwide. He was also questioned for allegedly making "disorderly" and "irresponsible" remarks on a Bengali television channel, where he initially claimed to have crafted the idols for Digha temple with the surplus sacred wood of Puri temple. However, he later denied the allegation. The state government through an inquiry found that Dasmohapatra had lied to the Bengali channel and the idols for Digha temple were crafted by a carpenter in Bhubaneswar, state Law Minister Pritihiviarj Harichandan had told reporters. A second notice was issued on May 9, asking Dasmohapatra to explain why he attended the consecration event at the Digha temple in his capacity as a Puri servitor, and whether he objected to the temple being referred to as a "Dham" by the Digha Jagannath Temple Trust. Chief Administrator Padhee emphasised the decision aims to uphold order and discipline within the temple premises. "It is the duty of all of us to uphold the tradition, rituals and dignity of the temple keeping self above pride and arrogance and this should be a demonstration of our devotion to Lord Jagannath. In the coming days also, no kind of disorder will be tolerated," Padhee said. Taking to X, Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati said, "Shri Jagannathpuri situated in Utkal province is Shri Jagannath-Dham. Use of this fact somewhere else is completely inappropriate". Leader of the opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, welcomed the decision to suspend Dasmahapatro "in light of his unethical involvement in the Digha Jagannath Cultural Center controversy". In a post on X, Adhikari said, "He got influenced by Mamata Banerjee and provided unauthorised guidance for the replication of Puri Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath Dham's sacred rituals and traditions, which later led to absolutely inappropriate misleading campaign by the local administration, by projecting the Digha Cultural Center as a site which would rival the Puri Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath Dham." Dasmohapatra has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of millions of devotees worldwide, he said. "This suspension sends a strong message, that the sanctity of our revered Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath Dham in Puri, must be upheld. The Sanatani Community would certainly be happy about the decision," he added.
