Latest news with #NabakalebaraDaru
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
No Srimandir Daru used in carving idols of deities: Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan
BHUBANESWAR: Amid the raging controversy over the newly inaugurated Jagannath temple at Digha, state Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has clarified that no surplus Daru (sacred neem wood from the Srimandir Nabakalebara ritual) has been used for the construction of idols of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra in the West Bengal temple. After the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) submitted its inquiry report on Monday, Harichandan told mediapersons that the Daitapati Nijog secretary Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra had got the idols carved of neem wood by Bhubaneswar-based sculptor Sudarshan Maharana and no Daru was used for the purpose, as he had claimed before some news channels in West Bengal. 'It is now clear that the statements given by Dasmohapatra were complete lies. These statements had hurt the religious sentiments of all Jagannath devotees,' he said. A team of SJTA officials including temple chief administrator Arabinda Padhee and Law secretary Manas Ranjan Barik had questioned Dasmahapatra and several other servitors of Srimandir, including the Maharana sevayats on the matter over the last three days. The SJTA has also sought an explanation from Dasmohapatra on his misleading remarks, within seven days. If his explanation is not satisfactory, the temple administration will take action against him as per the temple Act. 'Dasmohapatra, who had earlier indicated that surplus Nabakalebara Daru was used for making Digha idols, has clarified that the statement was a slip of tongue and he had no intention in saying so. Further, the Maharana sevayats (temple carpenters) said it is not technically possible to carve out three 2.5-ft idols from the surplus Daru,' the minister said. Harichandan pointed out a mistake committed by the then state government in 1995-96 as far as keeping the surplus Daru in Srimandir's Daru Ghara.
New Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Daru, Dham cause a stir in Odisha after West Bengal CM Mamata inaugurates Jagannath temple in Digha
BHUBANESWAR: The newly inaugurated Jagannath temple at Digha in West Bengal has sparked a massive controversy over the purported use of Daru (neem wood) that had remained unused during the Holy Trinity's Nabakalebara in Puri in 2015 for carving the deities, and naming the shrine as Jagannath Dham. Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Friday ordered an enquiry into the use of Daru in making the deities and the association of Srimandir servitors in its consecration ceremony. While the naming of the Digha temple as Jagannath Dham has caused a huge uproar, as the Srimandir in Puri finds place among the four Dhams, the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus in the country. Taking cognisance of the controversy, Harichandan said, "These things, particularly the talks around use of Nabakalebara Daru, are completely unacceptable and have become a matter of great concern for devotees of Lord Jagannath worldwide and the four crore people of Odisha. "The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has been directed to initiate an inquiry into all the allegations and anyone found guilty will face action under the provisions of law,' he added.
