Rituals resume at Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar after over 24-hour standoff

The rituals at the Shree Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar have resumed following a disruption caused by internal conflicts among temple servitors. After the Mangala Alati, Dhadi Darshan is currently underway, restoring regular worship for devotees.

According to sources, such disruptions have been recurring for several years. Ironically, the temple servitors, who depend on temple service for their livelihood, were themselves responsible for keeping the deity on fast. This has raised serious concerns among devotees and the general public.

Dispute Leads to Temporary Suspension of Rituals

The interruption occurred after Lord Lingaraj was forced to fast on Makar Sankranti, as temple rituals were suspended due to a dispute between the Badu and Brahmin Nijogs. The disagreement centered on the ‘Kheera Aauta’ ritual, leading to a halt in customary offerings. Brahmin Nijog Secretary Biranchi Narayan Pati confirmed that the conflict between the servitor groups was the primary reason behind the irregularity.

Questions Raised Over Long Fasts and Governance

Nijogs have alleged that inaction by higher authorities allowed the situation to persist, raising concerns over accountability. Several voices have questioned whether internal disputes were being leveraged to exert pressure on the state government to fulfil specific demands.

In response, the state government has taken cognisance of the issue and is considering the formulation of a separate law for the Lingaraj Temple to prevent such incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, all temple rituals have been restored, offering temporary relief to devotees. However, broader concerns regarding temple governance remain unresolved.