Political Slugfest Over Mahadeep Mishap At Bhubaneswar’s Lingaraj Temple; Know What Servitors Say

Bhubaneswar: A day after a sevayat of Bhubaneswar’s Lingarah Temple fell from a height of 20 feet while carrying the Mahadeep during Maha Shivratri, a political slugfest was seen on Thursday with opposition BJD and Congress blaming the BJP government for the mishap.

Notably, temple sevayat Jogendra Samartha sustained injuries after falling from a height of 20 feet while carrying the Mahadeep, the sacred lamp, to the Sikhar (temple peak) as part of the Maha Shivratri ritual on Wednesday. He is undergoing treatment at the Capital Hospital here.

The incident triggered a political row with main opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) terming the mishap that took place during the lifting of the Mahadeep is condemnable.

Accusing the state government of having failed again in discharging its duty, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said the BJP regime had earlier faltered during the Rath Yatra in Puri last year.

There is still no report on how Lord Balahnadra’s idol fell during pahandi near the Gundicha temple, he said in a post on X handle.

“The failed state administration seems more concerned about VIPs and their passes rather than ensuring a peaceful festival where the deities are properly taken care of and the common man is given importance. This is certainly not a good sign,” the BJD leader said.

Attacking the state government in same vein, state Congress president Bhakta Charan Das termed the incident unfortunate and alleged that the BJP which came to power by using religion has been neglecting the Lords. Similar incident had taken place during the Rath Yatra in Puri which hurt the sentiments of lakhs of devotees in the state and outside, he said.

Stating that the Mahadeep of Lord Lingaraj fell in the same manner in which Lord Balabhadra’s idol had slipped during the Rath Yatra, the PCC chief claimed that the mishap took place due to pack of preparedness on the part of the administration.

While slamming the government for issuing a large number of VIP passes, Das sought to know whether the servitor who fell was fit enough to carry the sacred lamp to the temple top.

Similarly, BJD leader and Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das also blamed the administration for the mishap saying no sand filling had been done in the climbing area. The administration failed to take adequate safety measures against possible mishap, she claimed.

Rejecting the allegation, BJP MLA Babu Singh said the opposition leaders should refrain from indulging in blame game over issues relating to the Lord.

Stating that Bhubaneswar Mayor is also part of the administration, the legislator said Das was herself present at the temple during the festival. She went around and saw the arrangements for the festival, he said, adding that the Mayor could have given necessary suggestions if she notices any shortcomings.

Meanwhile, the injured servitor’s son also pointed out that sand had not been filled on the climbing area. He claimed that sand is filled at the climbing area every year. But this time the administration forgot to do so which led to the mishap.

This apart, excessive ghee was used for the Mahadeep which made it difficult to carry it properly, he told the media.

Stating that his father has been carrying the Mahadeep to the temple top on the occasion of Maha Shivratri for the last 25 years, he said the incident that took place this time was unfortunate.

Similarly, president of Brahman Nijog of the temple Narayan Mohapatra said the incident was unfortunate. Stating that the sevayat who fell while carrying the sacred lamp was physically fit, he said the mishap was not caused by the servitor’s age.

He also spoke in favour of laying down clear guidelines for hazardous rituals like Mahadeep lifting and boat operations during Chandan Yatra. There should also be proper insurance cover for sevayats performing such rituals, he said, adding that these suggestions would be presented to the government for necessary steps.