Sitala Sasthi Yatra In Bhubaneswar’s Lingaraj Temple Cancelled This Year

Bhubaneswar: The Sitala Sasthi Yatra of Lord Lingaraj in Odisha capital this year has been cancelled after no consensus could be reached at a meeting called in this regard on Saturday.

Following the meeting, attended by officials of the temple administration, priests and servitors, secretary of Brahman Nijog told the media that the festival has been cancelled as there was consensus among the stakeholders.

The Brahman Nijog stayed away from performing the rituals of the deity for Sitala Sasthi in the Lingaraj temple for the festival which marks the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

According to sources, the Brahman Nijog and Puja Panda did not agree to cooperate in the festival as Malia servitors performed the rituals for Lord Kapileswar violating the tradition and thus defiled the temple premises.

They said only Khuntia sevayats have the rights to perform the rituals of the Lord Kapileswar. But Malia sevayats have been doing the same for the last few years, which is a violation of tradition, they added.

Earlier, Khuntia and Malia servitors had agreed to perform the rituals following discussions with Bhubaneswar Sub-Collector Satyabrata Sahoo.

As per tradition, Lord Kapileswar acts as the mediator for the marriage.