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Time of India
17-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Digha temple naming row puts Jagannath servitor conduct back in spotlight
Controversy throws light on servitors' conduct yet again BHUBANSESWAR: The recent suspension of Jagannath Temple's Daitapati servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra in connection with the controversy surrounding Digha shrine's naming has once again highlighted the challenges faced by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in maintaining order and discipline among its servitors. The controversy represents just one instance in a series of incidents that have raised questions about servitors' conduct at this 12th century shrine. At the heart of Jagannath Temple's daily operations are about 2,200 servitors who maintain centuries-old traditions through their hereditary services. While some of them have services to offer daily, there are others who perform their sacred duty on some specific days in a year. Every day, nearly 80 servitors are required to perform around 20 rituals in the shrine and their remuneration ranges from Rs 500 to Rs 2,500 per day, depending on their specific duties on certain days and the frequency of their service. Despite their crucial role in preserving ancient traditions, the temple has faced recurring issues with servitors' conduct. Senior servitor Binayak Dasmohapatra, while acknowledging this reality, said, 'Not all sevayats are unruly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Ativar Agora] - Licença de antivírus para PC Clique aqui Undo Misconduct of a few of our colleagues has often tarnished the reputation of the entire community. Their conduct has improved over the years.' Day before Ramakrushna's media statement on Digha temple idols triggered outrage, SJTA on April 4 and 5 had organized a two-day training session for servitors focussing on maintaining discipline, appropriate behaviour, proper interaction with devotees, importance of timely ritual performance and preservation of temple dignity. Historical efforts to improve servitor conduct date back to 2006 when the shrine administration attempted to curtail behaviours such as the use of vulgar language and consumption of betel or gutka. 'Comprehensive guidelines outlining servitors' roles, responsibilities, conduct and obligations will be issued soon,' law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said. SJTA's chief administrator Arabinda Padhee has taken a firm stance, declaring that no kind of indiscipline and misconduct will be tolerated.
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.
News18
05-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Servitor Issued Notice Over Use Of Puri Jagannath Temple's Sacred Wood To Make Digha Idols
Last Updated: Trouble started for Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra when he told some media channels that he had taken surplus neem wood from the 2015 Nabakalebar rituals at Puri Jagannath to Digha Puri's Shree Jagannath Temple administration has served a show-cause notice to a senior servitor over allegedly using the shrine's surplus sacred wood in crafting idols in a temple at Digha in neighbouring West Bengal. Servitor 'Daitapati Nijog' secretary Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra has been asked to submit his reply within seven days. The notice added that if a satisfactory explanation is not received within the specified period, Dasmohapatra will face disciplinary action as per the Shree Jagannath Temple Act-1955. Trouble started for Dasmohapatra when he reportedly told some media channels in West Bengal that he had taken the surplus neem wood from the 2015 Nabakalebar rituals at Puri Jagannath temple to Digha for construction of idols. However, he later denied making the claims. 'This is a false report. I have never told this to any news channel. My statements might have been morphed or intentionally edited. I just told the media that neem wood idols were consecrated at the newly built temple at Digha," he said. Amid a row over the West Bengal government's portrayal of the Digha temple as 'Jagannath Dham' and alleged use of Puri shrine's surplus wood in the construction of idols there, Odisha's law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on May 2 asked the SJTA to inquire into the matter. 'Nabakalebara' is a ritual held every 12 or 19 years, during which the wooden bodies of idols—Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath—are changed at the Puri temple. Dasmohapatra, who is known as Rajesh Daitapati in West Bengal, was also asked questions like who keeps the keys of the 'Daru Gruha", the store room in the Puri temple where sacred wood are kept, and whether 'Brahma' installation was made at Digha temple. 'Brahma' is a material considered to be the soul of Lord Jagannath, which is transferred from the old idol to a new one during the 'Nabakalebara' ritual. (With agency inputs) First Published: May 05, 2025, 12:42 IST
