Dhenkanal: Rituals at Kapilash Temple in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district resumed after a brief halt on Sunday following an apology from the administration, bringing relief to thousands of devotees who had gathered here for Maha Shivratri celebrations.
The temple dedicated to Lord Chandrasekhar, a form of Lord Shiva, witnessed major disruptions as servitors staged a sit-in at the foot of the Kapilash hill against alleged high-handed behaviour of police, after Chhatisha Niyog members were allegedly denied access to the shrine over entry passes. They were allegedly stopped by police on Barabanka Road while proceeding from Deogaon Jagannath Temple to the hill-top shrine with black gram paste and ornaments meant for the special Maha Shivaratri rituals.
Following which, rituals, including preparation of chaka pitha, a special rice flour cake traditionally offered in the morning, and the procession of golden panch bakra, essential for sacred Nagabharan Besha (serpent adornment of the deity), were affected.
Senior officials, including Dhenkanal sub-collector, Sadar Police SDPO and representatives from the endowment department, soon arrived at the scene and held talks with the protesters, who demanded a permanent solution to what they claimed was a recurring issue. The situation was defused after the officials offered an apology. “We held discussions with aggrieved servitors and requested them to resume the rituals. A meeting will be convened on February 20 to address their grievances,” Sub-Collector Bibudha Garanaik told the media.
A servitor, however, warned of indefinite suspension of the rituals if their demands are not met by the deadline.
