'Handibhanga Jatra' of Lord Lingaraj to resume after 11 years in Bhubaneswar

After an 11-year hiatus, the Handibhanga Jatra of Lord Lingaraj will be held on Saturday in Odisha's Bhubaneswar, marking the resumption of a significant ritual at the historic Lingaraj Temple. 

The ceremony had been discontinued due to disputes between two groups of servitors, but after multiple meetings and efforts, a resolution has been reached, allowing the rituals to be revived.

A Historic Resumption of Rituals

The Handibhanga Jatra, a prominent religious event for devotees, had not been held since its suspension over the servitor-related conflicts. The resumption comes after extensive discussions and meetings organized by the Khordha Collector and other officials, who worked alongside the sevayat groups to reach a consensus.

On this occasion, Lord Lingaraj will unite with Lord Vasudev, Maa Parvati, Kapileswar, and Shaniswar, fulfilling the long-held anticipation of devotees and servitors to witness the full range of prescribed rituals.

Temple Trust Board Meeting Held to Finalize Arrangements

Ahead of the Jatra, a crucial meeting of the Kapileswar Temple Trust Board was held at the Special Circuit House, chaired by Khordha District Collector Amrit Ruturaj. Several key decisions were made to ensure the smooth conduct of the rituals and address ongoing servitor-related issues.

Among the decisions was the formation of a three-member judicial committee to finalize the service rights of the Khuntia and Malia servitors of Kapileswar. Additionally, a separate three-member committee was established to streamline the rituals at the Lingaraj Temple in case of any further disputes among the servitors.

Rituals and Offerings Finalized

The ritual arrangements for the Handibhanga Jatra were finalized, with offerings such as Kotha bhoga being presented four times during the day. The morning rituals will be performed by the Khuntia sevayats, while the evening rituals are scheduled to be conducted by the Malia sevayats.

The preparation of Baradi bhoga and the evening Bheta Alati ritual for Lord Lingaraj and Kapileswar will also be undertaken by the Malia servitors.

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Both the Khuntia and Malia servitors have agreed to recognize the interim service rights arrangement to ensure the smooth observance of the festival, marking a significant step toward unity and cooperation in the temple’s administration.