No End To Banakalagi Impasse, Decision Likely At Jagannath Temple Managing Committee Meeting On Aug 1

Puri: Amid the continuing impasse over ‘Banakalagi’ (facial) ritual of sibling deities of Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri town,  an emergency meeting of the NITI sub-committee was held here on Friday to examine and resolve the issue.

Speaking to the media, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Ranjan Kumar Das said that he is optimistic that a consensus would be reached on resuming the ritual, which has not been conducted since the Niladri Bije of Lords after the annual Rath Yatra.

This was the third consecutive week when the once-in-a-week ritual was disrupted at Srimandir. While Dattamahapatra servitors are insisting that the ritual be conducted on Thursdays, the SJTA wants it to be performed on Wednesdays.

“The issue was discussed extensively in the meeting and we have received different views on the same. These will be submitted during the meeting of the temple managing committee on August 1 since it is the highest decision-making authority,” he said.

Das further said that they are trying to convince them, citing the rules and Record of Rights. “We are still open to discussions and are hopeful that the servitors would cooperate with the administration to end this disruption in the ritual of the Lords,” he said.

He added that the arguments put forth so far and Record of Rights are in favour of Wednesday. “It can be postponed to Thursday if Ekadasi or other rituals fall on Wednesday. But this decision too has to be taken by the temple administration,” he asserted.

President of Dattamahapatra Nijog Madan Dattamahapatra had earlier told that the servitors were prevented by temple officials from conducting the ritual on Thursday. The administration instead asked them to perform the ritual on Wednesday, which has been a case since 2018. “As per records and practice, Banakalagi Seva can be performed either on Wednesday or Thursday. Why is the administration adamant on holding it on Wednesdays?” he had questioned.