‘Mistake’ in Puri Srimandir calendar draws objections from servitors, scholars; SJTA issues clarification

An error was detected in the calendar prepared by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration in Puri for the English New Year, triggering concern among temple servitors and members of the intellectual community. 

The issue came to light on Wednesday after it was found that the image of Lord Balabhadra had been placed in the position of Lord Jagannath, while the image of Lord Jagannath appeared in the position traditionally reserved for Lord Balabhadra.

The calendars, including table calendars, wall calendars and diaries, were prepared by the Shree Jagannath Temple office at a cost running into lakhs of rupees, reportedly. The Puri Srimandir administration had also initiated steps for their sale. However, questions were raised after the discrepancy was noticed in the images printed on the calendars.

Images And Sequence Raise Objections

According to information, the disputed image is a Pattachitra-style painting that has been printed in both the table calendar and the photo calendar. Additionally, a Rath Yatra photograph included in the calendar shows the chariot of Debi Subhadra being pulled first, followed by the chariot of Lord Jagannath and finally that of Lord Balabhadra.

Servitors Express Concern

Ganesh Mahasuar, a servitor of the Srimandir, expressed concern over the issue and urged corrective action. “This has hurt the religious sentiments of many devotees. I would request the administration to stop further distribution of the calendars and ensure that they are reprinted with the Sibling Deities placed in their original positions,” he said.

He added, “I believe this was an oversight. The mistake should be rectified at the earliest.”

It was further alleged that the first page of the table calendar shows Lord Balabhadra placed in the position of Lord Jagannath, while Lord Sudarshan is completely omitted from the image.

Officials Respond To Allegations

Responding to the controversy, SJTA official Sarat Mohanty said the committee he was part of had no role in the calendar’s production or publicity. “Our committee was not involved in the preparation or promotion of the calendar. Other departments handled the Pattachitra used. This is a human error, and since a large number of calendars have not yet been distributed, further sale should be stopped,” he said.

Mohanty further remarked, “I believe that traditional Pattachitra artists from Raghurajpur would never have committed such a mistake. Even when Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Law Minister inaugurated the calendar, it is possible that the finer details were not closely examined at that stage.”

Temple servitors also alleged that the opinions of scholars and researchers associated with the temple were not taken into consideration before finalising the calendar.

SJTA Issues Clarification

Amid the criticism, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Arabinda Padhee issued a clarification. “The image used is based on a 300–400-year-old palm-leaf painting preserved in the State Museum,” he said.

He added, “The image provided by the artist was only placed in the calendar. This image reflects the artist’s creativity.”