Suspended Srimandir servitor climbs chariot

Puri: Jaykrushna Das Mohapatra, the suspended servitor of Shree Mandir, was seen climbing Nandighosha chariot of Lord Jagannath during Rath Yatra yesterday.

During visit of Govardhan Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati onto the chariot, Jaykrushna was also seen present on Nandighosha.

Meanwhile, Srimandir administrator Suresh Mohapatra said Das Mohapatra only paid obeisance to the deities and did not perform any services.

The suspended servitor said, “It is my basic right to pay respect to the deities and no one can stop him from doing that.”

Notably, the Orissa High Court has denied to provide any interim relief to Kasinath Dasmohapatra and his son Jaykrushna over their suspension from performing seva puja of the deities.

Srimandir administration had placed the father-son duo under suspension on June 24 after holding them responsible for the disturbances and delay in Bramh transfer of the deities on June 15-16 night.

Seeking to quash the suspension order on grounds of illegality, the servitors had in two separate petitions approached the High Court.