Conspiracy alleged in plan to sell land of Puri Bada Odia mutt, locals up in arms

While the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has allegedly decided to sell some land of Bada Odia mutt in Puri to a ‘Sevayat Nijog’, the mahanta (chief) of the religious institution (mutt) has raised strong objection over the decision.

The mahanta has even threatened to take extreme steps if an inch of the ancient mutt’s land is sold. One senior servitor and several local residents in Puri have also alleged that a conspiracy is being hatched to annihilate the mutt culture in Puri. They have reportedly joined hands with the mahanta to up the ante against the alleged conspiracy.

Ancient Bada Odia mutt has a rich heritage. It is known as the ‘Sadhana Pitha’ of eminent Odia saint and poet, Atibadi Jagannath Dash. The mutt has also a rich connection with Puri Srimandir in the performance of various rituals of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.

The mahanta of the mutt- Banshidhar Das Goswami himself has alleged that the temple administration has allowed the sale of some mutt’s land to Bimanabadu Nijog. Even the administration fixed the value of the land in letter number 9429 on August 31, 2019. Following the decision, the Additional Administrator of Srimandir Revenue Department furnished photo copies of land RoRs pertaining to the transfer. However, it is alleged that the signature and ages of the then authorities are not matching in the RoRs. Though the age of Brundaban Das Goswami, the owner of Bimanabadu building, was mentioned as 42 in 1937 in the RoR, his death certificate is telling a different story.

Moreover, Banshidhar Das Goswami has raised another uncomfortable question. As per him, when the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee has taken an important decision in 2002 that the property of any mutt under the ownership of the temple will not be sold or handed over to anybody, how it could be changed abruptly now.

Banshidhar has written a letter to the Chief Administrator of Srimandir and Chairman of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee in this regard requesting them to take necessary action to stop the proposed sale of the land. Moreover, he has threatened to take legal recourse if an inch of the mutt’s land is sold. 

“The documents have been forged and a conspiracy has been hatched to sell the mutt’s land. If the land will be sold, I will commit suicide on the temple premises or the administration office,” said Banshidhar.

“The signatures and age have been forged and some officials of the temple administration are involved in the conspiracy to sell the mutt’s land by forging the documents. While some members of the temple management committee are protesting against the move, it is quite strange how it is being discussed time and again in various meetings,” said Ashok Das, a lawyer.

Odia mutt is located on the west side of Srimandir at Baselisahi. The 500-year-old mutt is involved in many rituals of the temple. The mutt provides ‘Phuluri Tela’ and ‘Chakata Bhoga’ for the treatment of the Holy Trinity during ‘Anabasara’ time. The mutt also provides ‘adhara handi’ as part of the ‘adharapana’ ritual during Rath Yatra every year. During the ‘Niladribije’ festival, the inmates of the mutt perform important rituals like ‘singhasana majana’. During the 1977 settlement, the land record was in the mutt’s name. However, as per the Supreme Court decision, the records of the land have been changed to Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee’s name. But, there has been no provision for the sale and transfer of the land.

However, as per reports, efforts are underway to sell some portion of the mutt’s land where a goshala (cow shelter) is currently present.

Meanwhile, a senior servitor, some aware citizens, and local residents have raised their voices against the move. They have threatened to hit the streets if the temple administration’s decision is implemented.

“Bada Odia mutt is a very old religious institution and it is involved in various rituals of Lord Jagannath. The administration’s blatant decision to sell some of the mutt’s land is not acceptable,” said senior Daitapati servitor, Binayak Das Mohapatra.

“Bada Odia mutt is a very old and popular institution. If an inch of its land is sold, Puri residents will hit the streets in protest,” said Swadhin Panda, a local resident.