Puri: To the utter aghast of the devotees, Lord Gopalji at Sakhigopal temple in Odisha’s Puri district has been forced to go without food for two consecutive days as the servitors have closed the Singhadwara and stalled the rituals in the shrine since Monday.
As per sources, the servitors have resorted to this action to protest the demolition of the structures at the crematorium which was being used by them.
Structures at the cremation ground were allegedly demolished by the contractor engaged for the construction work of a University. Mounting a strong protest against the demolition and with utter disregard to the rituals and religious sentiments of the masses, the servitors have closed the temple doors and halted all the rituals in the temple.
The protest will continue till justice is ensures, said a servitor. Efforts by Satyabadi Tehsildar Jayant Jaysingh and Temple’s Executive Officer, Biswabasi Tripathy to pacify the servitors have proven to be futile. “We have initiated a round of discussion with the servitors and find a solution soon,” said Jaysingh.
Meanwhile, resentment is brewing among the devotees for the disregard to rituals when Lord Jagannath’s Ratha Yatra festival is underway. Thousands of devotees who visited the temple returned disappointed without getting an opportunity to offer prayers before the Lord.
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