Digha temple row: Puri Srimandir servitor Ramkrushna Das Mahapatra suspended for 30 days

The Chief Administrator of Puri Srimandir on Sunday suspended senior servitor Ramkrushna Das Mahapatra for 30 days amid the controversy concerning the Digha Jagannath temple.

The senior servitor has been prohibited from entering the temple and performing his duties for Lord Jagannath for 30 days. 

Allegations suggest that his conduct was responsible for breaching the temple's dignity. 

Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee said, "There were allegations against a Daitapati Sevak regarding his indisciplinary conduct. I personally inquired and submitted a report to the government and we have suspended the concerned Sevayat for a month."

Earlier on last Sunday, Ramkrushna was quizzed by the Srimandir Administration for nearly one and a half hours in connection with the controversy surrounding the use of Daru (sacred log) for the construction of deities in Digha Jagannath temple.

Notably, controversy has been deepened over the newly-constructed Vaishnavite temple in Digha with the sacred wood linked to Lord Jagannath temple in Puri, with many complaints lodged against the senior Daitapati Sevayat.

In their written complaint, Jagannath Sena has named Ramakrushna Das Mahapatra, demanding an immediate and impartial investigation into the alleged unauthorized transportation of sacred wood (darus) from the Puri Srimandir’s premises.

Must Read: Digha Jagannath temple row: Puri Srimandir servitor Ramkrushna Das Mahapatra grilled for around 1.5 hours

Serious concerns were raised over who took the sacred wood, how it was transported, and under whose permission or involvement, urging police to conduct a thorough probe.

Earlier, another complaint was lodged by an RTI activist who accused Ramakrushna of removing the wood without prior permission from the temple administration.

The incident reportedly sparked widespread reactions among devotees and servitor groups, with many calling for increased oversight and transparency in temple operations.