Bhubaneswar: A photo is being circulated on social media platforms claiming about the coronation of new Puri King. The picture, which has gone viral, purportedly shows a youth in a customary attire along with Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb and Raja Kamakhya Prasad Singh Deo of Dhenkanal and their families. In no time speculations were rife that the concerned youth was being coronated as the King of Puri. However, the news was found to be 'fake'.
Issuing a clarification on this, Puri Raja Nahar (the palace) sources stated, "The photo circulated on social media claiming coronation of new Puri King is fake. The person in the traditional attire is Tikayet Janmejay Mardaraj of Raj-Nilagiri, the only child of Nilagiri Raja Saheb who is on his (Puri Gajapati) left."
"This photo was taken at Nilagiri Palace on the occasion of Tilak (wedding engagement) ceremony of Janmejay in 2016" added Nahar sources.
Even Nilagiri King Jayant Chandra Mardaraj Harichandan has clarified saying, "The person picturised as the new Puri King is my son Tikayet Janmejay Mardaraj of Nilgiri. Alongside him are Puri Gajapati and Raja Kamakhya Prasad Singh Deo of Dhenkanal and their families during his (Janmejay's) engagement ceremony at Nilagiri Palace in December 2016."
It is pertinent to mention here that Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb was coronated 49 years ago on July 7, 1970 and since then he has been the chief servitor of the sibling deities in Puri.