Lord Gopaljew has gone without food for two days at Sakhigopal in Puri as the servitors have stalled all the rituals in the temple from Monday.
As per reports, the servitors have closed the Singhadwar of Lord Gopaljew temple in protest against the demolition of the structures at the cremation ground which was used by the servitors.
As per sources, the construction works on the cremation ground were demolished as part of expansion of a university. However, the servitors staged a strong protest against the move by closing the temple door and halting all the rituals.
“Our crematorium ground has been encroached illegally and the constructions have been demolished. We will continue our protest for an indefinite period till we get justice,” said a servitor.
Meanwhile, resentment is brewing among the devotees for the closure of the temple. Thousands of devotees had to return without getting darshan of Lord Gopaljew due to the ongoing protest by the servitors. Several devotees expressed their resentment over the issue.
Though Satyabadi Tehsildar and temple executive officer reached the spot and tried their best to pacify the servitors, they refused to withdraw their protest.
“The wall on the crematorium ground has been demolished without any permission. The servitors have expressed their dissatisfaction over the development. Things will be solved in a day or two,” said temple executive officer Biswabasi Tripathy.
“We have initiated a round of discussion with the servitors. We are seeking a solution on what could be done so that the servitors will withdraw their protest soon,” said Satyabadi Tehsildar Jayant Jaysingh.