Bhubaneswar: Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) issued a notice to a Pratihari servitor holding him responsible for the late conduct of the Dwaraphita ritual on Friday.
The notice was issued to Pratihari servitor Shivashankar Mohapatra, for violating temple norms.
According to sources, the Dwaraphita ritual was delayed by 35 minutes, causing a ripple effect on other rituals, including the Mahaprasad distribution. The temple administration has sought an explanation from Mohapatra regarding the reason behind the delay.
SJTA has issued a show-cause notice to the errant sevayat, seeking a response within seven days. Failure to comply with the notice may result in disciplinary action against the errant servitor as per the provisions of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act.
Meanwhile, Madhav Mohapatra, Pratihari Nijog Palia Secretary, welcomed the administration’s action, stating that they had raised concerns over the frequent delays in the Dwaraphita ritual during a recent meeting.
“We demanded swift action against those responsible for the delays. The administration’s move is a step in the right direction. There is a need for strict adherence to temple norms and rituals to ensure the smooth functioning of the revered shrine,” Mohapatra said.
