Rituals at the Shree Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar have resumed after being disrupted by internal disputes among temple servitors. Following the Mangala Alati, Dhadi Darshan is currently underway, bringing relief to devotees and restoring regular worship.
Sources indicate that such disruptions have occurred repeatedly over the years, raising serious concerns among devotees and the public. Ironically, the servitors—who depend on temple service for their livelihood—were themselves responsible for the deity being kept on fast, triggering criticism over internal management.
The suspension of rituals took place on Makar Sankranti after a dispute between the Badu and Brahmin Nijogs over the ‘Kheera Aauta’ ritual, which led to a halt in customary offerings. Brahmin Nijog Secretary Biranchi Narayan Pati stated that the conflict between the servitor groups was the main reason for the interruption.
Nijogs have alleged that a lack of timely intervention by higher authorities allowed the issue to escalate, prompting questions over accountability and governance. Some have also suggested that internal disputes were being used to pressure the state government to meet certain demands.
Taking cognisance of the situation, the state government is considering the introduction of a separate law for the Lingaraj Temple to prevent such incidents in the future. While rituals have now been fully restored, concerns over long-term temple administration remain unresolved.
