Puri Srimandir servitors’ body gets showcause notice over disruption in Banakalagi ritual

Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) issued a showcause notice to a servitors’ body over disruption in Banakalagi ritual of Lord Jagannath at Puri Srimandir.

The notice has been served to Dutta Mohapatra Nijog under sections 20 and 30 of Shri Jagannath Temple Act seeking reply within four days.

As per the decision by managing committee of Puri Srimandir administration, the Banakalagi ritual should be carried out on every Wednesday. However, the special ritual is not being conducted on the scheduled day, rather the Dutta Mohapatra Nijog is pressing hard to reschedule the ritual for Thursday.

According to reports, the Banakalagi ritual of deities has not been conducted since Niladri Bije. Therefore, notice has been served to the Dutta Mohapatra Nijog for clarification.

Responding over the matter, Dutta Mohapatra servitor Sanjay Dutta Mohapatra said that the reply will be furnished within two days.

He said that the servitors’ body as per the direction from temple administration was well prepared to conduct Banakalagi ritual on Thursday. However, the ritual could not be held because of temple administration’s negligence.

The Banakalagi ritual of Lord Jagannath should be conducted on the basis of Srimandir Record of Rights, or else the administration should revoke the law. If necessary, the servitors’ body will move the court against the administration, he added.