Makar Sankranti Rituals Stalled At Bhubaneswar Lingaraj Temple After Dispute Between Servitor Groups

Bhubaneswar: Important rituals of Lord Lingaraj for the auspicious Makar Sankranti were stalled following a dispute between two groups of servitors of the Temple in Bhubaneswar.

According to temple tradition, Mahasuara servitors prepare ‘Ghruta Kamala’ after Lord Lingaraj is taken to Makar Mandap following the auspicious ‘Pushyabhiseka Sandhya Dhupa’ ritual.

The ‘Ghruta Kamala’ is offered to Lord Lingaraj on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. However, the Badu servitor remained adamant on Monday on performing the ritual. Dispute over the issue led to the stalling of all the rituals at the famous temple since Monday evening.

As a result, Lord Lingaraj remained seated at the Makar Mandap with no rituals being performed after ‘Pushyabhiseka Sandhya Dhupa’. The deity was not even taken back to the southern sanctum.

While several rituals of the Lord have been stalled due to the dispute, it would not be proper to state that the Lord has been kept hungry, secretary of Badu Nijog of the temple Kamalakanta Badu said.

On the other hand, secretary of Sri Lingaraj Temple Brahmin Nijog Biranchi Narayan Pati claimed that the Badu Nijog has been creating disturbances and the temple administration should take immediate steps for resolving the issue.

Disruption of rituals at the Temple appeared to have become a regular affair due to frequent disputes between servitor groups. In August 2024, Lord Lingaraj was kept hungry following a dispute between Pujapanda Nijog and Badu Nijog, triggering outrage among devotees.