Uncertainty looms large over Sital Sasthi ritual of Lord Lingaraj

Bhubaneswar: As the controversy over non participation of Lord Kapilanath in the Sital Sasthi Jatra of Lord Lingaraj continues to intensify, uncertainty looms large over the completion of the ritual.

The Brahmin Nijog, a servitor association at the 11th century shrine on Thursday threatened to disrupt the Sital Sasthi Jatra, one of the most important rituals of Lord Lingaraj by not cooperating in the conduct.

The servitors' body alleged that since last three years, Lord Kapilanath is not being allowed to participate in the Sital Sasthi Jatra. But with the Orissa High Court directing for the participation of Lord Kapilanath during the rituals this year, the row should have been resolved.

"We had a meeting with the Endowment Commissioner on June 6 but it did not work out. The controversy surrounding participation of Lord Kapilanath is yet to be resolved and we are sure that this year also we may not see the deity participate in the Jatra. We have already apprised the temple administration that if Lord Kapilanath is not allowed, then Sital Sasthi Jatra will be disrupted," Secretary of Brahmin Nijog, Biranchi Narayan Pati said.