Servitors’ Fight Leads to Bloodshed Inside Puri Jagannath Temple; Mahasnana Performed

Puri: ‘Mahasnana’ (grand purification) of deities in Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri was performed after blood drops were found in sanctum sanctorum following a fight between two servitors on Friday.

According to sources, while the ritual of afternoon prayer was being performed in the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple, an argument ensued between Patribadu and Pakhalia servitors over sharing of ‘Khei’ (earning).

The argument between the two servitors escalated into a tussle and they were engaged in fisticuff. In the fight between the two, one was seriously injured and started bleeding from nose inside the sanctum sanctorum.

On being informed, personnel from Singhadwar (lions gate) police outpost rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. They sent the injured servitor to the hospital.

As blood drops in the sanctum sanctorum is considered impure, the Mahasnana (purification) of three deities – Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Evi Subhadra – was performed. As a result, other rituals after the afternoon prayer were delayed.