Servitors’ stir breaches Lingaraj chandan yatra tradition

Bhubaneswar: The age old tradition of Chandan Yatra of Lord Lingaraj was violated yesterday as the holy event concluded at Bindu Sagar pond late in the night in the absence of Lord Kapileswar.

Infighting among servitor groups of Kapileswar trust led to an inordinate delay and breach in traditions at the 11th century shrine.

The servitors of the Lingaraj trust sat on dharna in front of the temple office till late in the night demanding Kapileswar's presence in the holy boating event as per tradition. However, the Kapileswar trust paid no heed to the demand of their fellow priests.

This morning, the Lingaraj Trust Board moved the Endowment Commission - a body constituted by the state government to look after the administration of temples - demanding strict action against Kapileswar Trust holding it responsible for the breach in religious tradition. The Lingaraj Temple Board also lodged a complaint at Lingaraj police station in this regard.

The problem arose when priests of Kapileswar Temple refused to participate in the festival unless the Endowment Commission resolved the issues between the two warring groups.