Nabakalebara Banajaga Jatra Of Lord Jagannath In Dhenkanal Sparks Controversy

Celebration of Banajaga Jatra, a special ritual associated with the Nabakalebara of Lord Jagannath in Dhenkanal has evoked serious criticism from the servitor community and culture experts in Puri.

As per sources, authorities of Jagannath Temple at Odapada Ekagharia village named 'Saran Shreekhetra'recently organised the Banajaga Jatra and the identification of the divine Neem (Daru) trees for creating new idols of the deities. 

The religious event has received serious backlash from several quarters especially servitor community at Puri Jagannath Temple.

The Srimandir servitors and culture experts claim that since Puri is the prime abode of Lord Jagannath, there is specific mention in shashtras for conduct of Nabakalebara and its related rituals as per the code in the pilgrim town. But apart from that there is no rule which allows Daru identification or Nabakalebara celebration in any other place except Puri.

Meanwhile, a complaint has been lodged in connection with the incident at Singhadwara Police station. Senior servitor Jagdish Dash Mohapatra who has filed a complaint has alleged that it is an attempt to tarnish the Jagannath faith and culture.

"The Banajaga Jatra and Nabakalebara of Lord Jagannath are very sacred and defined by codes mentioned in shashtras. There is certain time, process, place for conduct of these rituals and secrecy to be maintained to ensure their sanctity,” said senior servitor of Puri Srimandir, Binayak Das Mohapatra. 

"The incident at Dhenkanal is gross violation of the divine order," Binayak added. 

Senior servitor Jagdish Dash Mohapatra explained that if such rituals are organised everywhere without any respect to the tradition and the codes specified only for the chief abode of the Lord, it will cause a huge setback to the Jagannath faith. 

Due to such reckless acts, identifying Daru has increasingly becoming difficult now a days. The incident at Dhenkanal has hurt religious sentiments of Jagannath devotees, said Jagdish.

However, the chief of Sarana Shreekhetra has clarified that nothing wrong has been done with any intention.