Lord Jagannath's Chief Servitor Spotted Performing Puja At Mamata Banerjee's Residence

Bhubaneswar: As the Election Commission sounded poll bugle for West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee organised a special puja seeking blessings to assume the power for the third term.

The puja was performed by a group of servitors at Mamata’s Kalighat residence which also included Jagannath Swain Mohapatra, the chief badagrahi (priest) of Lord Jagannath in Puri.

Mohapatra and some other servitors were brought to the CM’s residence in special vehicle from Puri.

The CM in a Facebook post shared the video of the special puja that reportedly lasted for around 10 hours. In the 2.30 minute long video, a group of servitors were seen performing yagna and chanting hymns.

In another 3.19 minute video posted by Mamata, her nephew Abhishek Banerjee was seen offering prayers during the puja.

“Puja by Jagannath Daitapati at my residence #3,” Mamata captioned both the videos.

https://youtu.be/q2xsJQU31Os

Speaking to OTV on the special puja, Swain Mohapatra, the chief servitor of Lord Jagannath said, the ritual was performed praying for peaceful conduct of the elections.

“Mamata is one of my ardent disciples. She had called me to Kolkata to perform the puja and sent vehicle to Puri. Seven servitors had accompanied me. She holds puja at her residence every year,” Mohapatra said.

Meanwhile, the special puja by Mamata on the day of announcement of poll date has sparked a debate. While Mamata is eyeing to assume power for the third time, the BJP has said that it is confident of a resounding victory in the State.

(Edited By Suryakant Jena)