Rath Yatra: Photo of Daitapati resting against Lord Sudarsan's idol goes viral

Puri: A picture of senior Daitapati servitor Premananda Das Mohapatra resting by leaning against the idol of Lord Sudarsan on Devi Subhadra's Darpadalana chariot was found making rounds on social media today sparking criticism from several quarters. However, it is not clear whether the picture was shot this year or clicked during the Rath Yatra festival in the past. 

Even as Premananda Das Mohapatra is yet to clarify on the matter, senior Daitapati servitor Binayak Das Mohapatra has claimed that the photograph might have been morphed.

"It is not appropriate to take photograph of the Daitapati servitor who has special bonding with the deities. As a 'Shree anga lagi' sevayat, Premananda Das Mohapatra is very close to Lord Sudarshan and performs most important of rituals connected with the deity. As far originality of the picture is concerned, I believe that it might have been manipulated with computer graphics," he added.

Reacting over the issue, Jagannath culture expert, Pandit Abhaya Das said the photo of the incident has deeply hurt the sentiments of the devotees.

"Lord Sudarsan is 'Daru Brahma' and it is not right to lean against the deity. The activity of the servitor has hurt the sentiments of crores of devotees and followers of Jagannath dharma (religion)," said Das.

Meanwhile, comments from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) could not be obtained over the issue.