Dispute Among Servitors Halts Rituals at Lingaraj Temple, Devotees Deprived of ‘Abhada’

Bhubaneswar: A long-standing dispute between two groups of servitors at the historic Lingaraj Temple disrupted rituals on Saturday, leaving Lord Lingaraj, the presiding deity, without food for the day.

The conflict between the Pujapanda Nijog and the Badu Nijog centered around the performance of the Adhibas Puja, a key ritual conducted before the Odhani Lagi ceremony, in which a scarf is offered to the deity. This disagreement led to the suspension of all rituals after the Mangal Arati in the morning, depriving devotees of the traditional Abhada (cooked prasad).

Traditionally, both Nijogs have performed the Adhibas Puja jointly, a practice that ensures the smooth conduct of subsequent rituals. However, for the past two years, the temple administration has intervened to proceed with rituals without the Adhibas Puja due to ongoing disputes. This year, the Pujapanda Nijog demanded to resume performing the puja but halted subsequent rituals when their request was unmet.

The absence of the Adhibas Puja disrupted the day’s ceremonies, leaving devotees visiting the 11th-century temple disappointed. Many had hoped to partake in the sacred Abhada, considered a blessing, but were unable to due to the impasse.

Temple authorities have expressed concerns over the recurring disputes and their impact on the sanctity of rituals. Efforts are reportedly underway to mediate between the Nijogs and ensure such disruptions do not recur, safeguarding the spiritual and cultural heritage of the revered temple.

The Lingaraj Temple, a symbol of Odisha’s architectural and religious significance, attracts thousands of devotees daily. Saturday’s incident highlights the challenges in balancing tradition with administrative intervention to maintain harmony among the servitors.