Servitor Of Jagannath Temple In Puri Suspended For Clash Over ‘Paduka’

Puri: A servitor of Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri town has been suspended from temple services for assaulting another servitor last month.

According to sources, chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Arabinda Padhee has issued the suspension order to Mukha Pakhal servitor Biswanath Khuntia for abusing and attacking another servitor Madan Mohan Khuntia.

Biswanath has been asked not to render any services inside the temple for next three months. Earlier, the SJTA had issued show-cause notice to both servitors on the incident.

The incident took place on December 16 over distribution of ‘Avakash Paduka’ among devotees by servitors near the Beherana Dwara of the 12th-century shrine. The heated exchange took an ugly turn when they started attacking one another. Madan suffered bleeding injuries on his nose.

Later, Padhee had asked both of them to provide a satisfactory explanation through the temple commander within 7 days as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against them.