Latest news with #SriJagannathTempleAct
Hans India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
SJTA issues another notice to Puri servitor
Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Friday issued another show cause notice to senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmahapatra, asking him to explain the reason behind his active participation in the consecration ceremony of the Jagannath temple at Digha in West Bengal. Dasmahapatra, the secretary of the Daitapati Nijog (a group of servitors who are considered bodyguards of the Puri deities), was among over 55 servitors of the Puri temple, who participated in the inaugural session of the Digha was seen in photographs and videos taking a lead role in performing rituals at the Digha temple in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Digha temple was inaugurated on Akshaya Tritiya on April 30. 'The pictures and videos of Dasmahapatra participating in the inauguration programme of the Sri Jagannath Temple in Digha and leading the group of servitors have been widely circulated in various media. It has come to our attention that during the inauguration of the Digha temple, a plaque was put up to this effect with the inscription 'Jagannath Dham-Digha',' the notice mentioned. Stating that Puri is the holy abode of the supreme deity Sri Purusottam Jagannath, the notice said that according to scriptures, it is one of the most important 'dhams' among the four 'dhams' of India.'Despite being aware of this as a senior servitor of Lord Jagannath temple, his participation in the inaugural session of the Digha temple has created confusion among the devotees regarding the tradition of the temple and has hurt the religious sentiments of countless Shri Jagannath devotees,' the notice said. Therefore, the SJTA wanted to know as to why did he (Dasmahapatra) participated in a programme titled 'Jagannath Dham-Digha' as a senior servitor of the 12th century shrine in Puri.'Whether you (Dasmahapatra) had protested before the Digha Temple Trust Board opposing the mention of 'dham' in the plaque,' the notice asked. The fresh show cause notice asked Dasmahapatra to submit an explanation to the SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, who is a senior IAS officer, within two days of receiving the notice.'If a satisfactory explanation is not received within this time, action will be taken under the Sri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955,' the notice said. Earlier, Dasmahapatra was issued the first show cause notice and questioned by the SJTA for 90 minutes after he claimed before a Bengali television channel that he had brought the sacred wood from the Puri temple and crafted the idols for the Digha temple. However, later, Odisha's Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan had clarified that 'the idols for Digha temple were crafted by a carpenter at Bhubaneswar by using simple neem wood and not the sacred wood from the Puri temple.' Earlier, the use of word 'dham' by the temple at Digha was strongly opposed by Odisha government, Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth and many devotees.
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Dham row: SJTA issues another show cause notice to Puri servitor for attending Digha temple event
Puri , The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration on Friday issued another show cause notice to senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra, asking him to explain the reason behind his active participation in the consecration ceremony of the Jagannath temple at Digha in West Bengal. Dasmohapatra, the secretary of the Daitapati Nijog , was among over 55 servitors of the Puri temple, who participated in the inaugural session of the Digha temple. Dasmohapatra was seen in photographs and videos taking a lead role in performing rituals at the Digha temple in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Digha temple was inaugurated on Akshaya Tritiya on April 30. "The pictures and videos of Dasmohapatra participating in the inauguration programme of the Sri Jagannath Temple in Digha and leading the group of servitors have been widely circulated in various media. It has come to our attention that during the inauguration of the Digha temple, a plaque was put up to this effect with the inscription 'Jagannath Dham-Digha'," the notice mentioned. Stating that Puri is the holy abode of the supreme deity Sri Purusottam Jagannath, the notice said that according to scriptures, it is one of the most important 'dhams' among the four 'dhams' of India. "Despite being aware of this as a senior servitor of Lord Jagannath temple, his participation in the inaugural session of the Digha temple has created confusion among the devotees regarding the tradition of the temple and has hurt the religious sentiments of countless Shri Jagannath devotees," the notice said. Therefore, the SJTA wanted to know as to why did he participated in a programme titled 'Jagannath Dham-Digha' as a senior servitor of the 12th century shrine in Puri. "Whether you had protested before the Digha Temple Trust Board opposing the mention of 'dham' in the plaque," the notice asked. The fresh show cause notice asked Dasmohapatra to submit an explanation to the SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, who is a senior IAS officer, within two days of receiving the notice. "If a satisfactory explanation is not received within this time, action will be taken under the Sri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955," the notice said. Earlier, Dasmohapatra was issued the first show cause notice and questioned by the SJTA for 90 minutes after he claimed before a Bengali television channel that he had brought the sacred wood from the Puri temple and crafted the idols for the Digha temple. However, later, Odisha's Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan had clarified that Dasmohapatra had lied to the Bengali TV channel. "The idols for Digha temple were crafted by a carpenter at Bhubaneswar by using simple neem wood and not the sacred wood from the Puri temple," the minister said. Earlier, the use of word 'dham' by the temple at Digha was strongly opposed by the Odisha government, Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth and many devotees.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Servitor served notice over 'use' of Puri Jagannath temple sacred wood to make idols in Digha shrine
'The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) of Puri, Odisha, has issued a show-cause notice to a senior servitor over the alleged use of surplus sacred wood of the 12th-century shrine in crafting idols in a temple at Digha in neighbouring West Bengal,' officials said. 'The notice was issued to Daitapati Nijog secretary and senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra on the charge of 'creating confusion in the minds of countless devotees and worshippers' of Lord Jagannath through his contradictory statements and 'tarnishing the dignity' of the temple,' a statement issued by the administration said. Devotees, priests from Odisha demand removal of 'Jagannath Dham' label from Digha temple 'Daitapati Nijog' is a group of servitors, considered bodyguards of Lord Jagannath. Mr. Dasmohapatra has been asked to give his reply within seven days from May 4. 'If a satisfactory explanation is not received within this time, strict disciplinary action will be taken as per the Sri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955," the notice said. Mr. Dasmohapatra, along with 55 other servitors from Puri, attended the consecration ceremony at the Digha temple in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on April 30. Mr. Dasmohapatra had allegedly used the Puri temple sacred wood, stored in 'Daru Gruha' (store room), to craft idols of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath for the Digha shrine and took them to the Digha Temple for installation. The notice also mentioned that Mr. Dasmohapatra, in an interview with a Bengali news channel, admitted that he had used the Puri temple's sacred wood for making idols of the Dighta temple, and later he refuted the same in the Odisha media. 'Dasmohaptra claimed that he had made the wooden deities using another neem tree,' it said. The SJTA expressed concern over the act of the senior servitor, who is also in charge of the secretary of the 'Daitapati Nijog'. According to the tradition of the shrine in Puri, the surplus wood, after the 'Nabakalebara' (new form) festival, is stored in a room and used for the repair of the idols if required. 'The wood is collected from various places across the State during the 'Banajoga' ritual, which follows a series of religious activities. Therefore, the wood collected during the 'Nabakalebara' is considered sacred and rare,' a priest said. The contradictory statement of Mr. Dasmohapatra has created resentment among devotees as his remarks "hurt their religious sentiments. 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 had on May 2 asked the SJTA to inquire into the matter. SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee summoned Mr. Dasmohapatra and questioned him for about 90 minutes on Sunday (May 4, 2025.) 'The administration wanted to know whether he, as the secretary of 'Daitapati Nijog', had taken sacred wood from the Puri temple and used it in making the idols for the Digha temple,' officials said.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Servitor served notice over ''use'' of Puri Jagannath temple sacred wood to make idols in Digha shrine
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) of Puri has issued a show cause to a senior servitor over the alleged use of surplus sacred wood of the 12th-century shrine in crafting idols in a temple at Digha in neighbouring West Bengal, officials said. The notice was issued to Daitapati Nijog secretary and senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra on the charge of "creating confusion in the minds of countless devotees and worshippers" of Lord Jagannath through his contradictory statements and "tarnishing the dignity" of the temple, a statement issued by the administration said. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Inside Operation Tupac: Pakistan's secret project to burn Kashmir Who is Asim Munir, the Zia-style general shaping Pakistan's faith-driven military revival 'Looking for partners, not preachers': India's strong message for EU amid LoC tensions 'Daitapati Nijog' is a group of servitors, considered bodyguards of Lord Jagannath. Dasmohapatra has been asked to give his reply within seven days from May 4. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo "If a satisfactory explanation is not received within this time, strict disciplinary action will be taken as per the Sri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955," the notice said. Dasmohapatra, along with 55 other servitors from Puri, attended the consecration ceremony at the Digha temple in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on April 30. Live Events Dasmohapatra had allegedly used the Puri temple sacred wood, stored in 'Daru Gruha' (store room), to craft idols of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath for the Digha shrine and took them to the Digha Temple for installation. The notice also mentioned that Dasmohapatra, in an interview with a Bengali news channel, admitted that he had used the Puri temple's sacred wood for making idols of the Dighta temple, and later he refuted the same in the Odisha media. Dasmohaptra claimed that he had made the wooden deities using another neem tree, it said. The SJTA expressed concern over the act of the senior servitor, who is also in charge of the secretary of the 'Daitapati Nijog'. According to the tradition of the shrine in Puri, the surplus wood, after the 'Nabakalebara' (new form) festival, is stored in a room and used for the repair of the idols if required. The wood is collected from different places across the state during the 'Banajoga' ritual, which follows a series of religious activities. Therefore, the wood collected during the 'Nabakalebara' is considered sacred and rare, a priest said. The contradictory statement of Dasmohapatra has created resentment among devotees as his remarks "hurt their religious sentiments. 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 had on May 2 asked the SJTA to inquire into the matter. SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee summoned Dasmohapatra and questioned him for about 90 minutes on Sunday. The administration wanted to know whether he, as the secretary of 'Daitapati Nijog', had taken sacred wood from the Puri temple and used it in making the idols for the Digha temple, officials said.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Servitor served notice over ''use'' of Puri Jagannath temple sacred wood to make idols in Digha shrine
Bhubaneswar, The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration of Puri has issued a show cause to a senior servitor over the alleged use of surplus sacred wood of the 12th-century shrine in crafting idols in a temple at Digha in neighbouring West Bengal, officials said. The notice was issued to Daitapati Nijog secretary and senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra on the charge of "creating confusion in the minds of countless devotees and worshippers" of Lord Jagannath through his contradictory statements and "tarnishing the dignity" of the temple, a statement issued by the administration said. 'Daitapati Nijog' is a group of servitors, considered bodyguards of Lord Jagannath. Dasmohapatra has been asked to give his reply within seven days from May 4. 'If a satisfactory explanation is not received within this time, strict disciplinary action will be taken as per the Sri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955," the notice said. Dasmohapatra, along with 55 other servitors from Puri, attended the consecration ceremony at the Digha temple in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on April 30. Dasmohapatra had allegedly used the Puri temple sacred wood, stored in 'Daru Gruha' , to craft idols of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath for the Digha shrine and took them to the Digha Temple for installation. The notice also mentioned that Dasmohapatra, in an interview with a Bengali news channel, admitted that he had used the Puri temple's sacred wood for making idols of the Dighta temple, and later he refuted the same in the Odisha media. Dasmohaptra claimed that he had made the wooden deities using another neem tree, it said. The SJTA expressed concern over the act of the senior servitor, who is also in charge of the secretary of the 'Daitapati Nijog'. According to the tradition of the shrine in Puri, the surplus wood, after the 'Nabakalebara' festival, is stored in a room and used for the repair of the idols if required. The wood is collected from different places across the state during the 'Banajoga' ritual, which follows a series of religious activities. Therefore, the wood collected during the 'Nabakalebara' is considered sacred and rare, a priest said. The contradictory statement of Dasmohapatra has created resentment among devotees as his remarks "hurt their religious sentiments. 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 had on May 2 asked the SJTA to inquire into the matter. SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee summoned Dasmohapatra and questioned him for about 90 minutes on Sunday. The administration wanted to know whether he, as the secretary of 'Daitapati Nijog', had taken sacred wood from the Puri temple and used it in making the idols for the Digha temple, officials said.
