Bhubaneswar, (Orissa Today), July 12: Arabinda Padhee, the newly appointed Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), announced on Friday a ban on sevayats carrying mobile phones to the chariots of the sibling deities.
This decision comes after allegations that sevayats were distracted by taking pictures and videos with their mobile phones during the ‘Adapa Bije Pahandi’ ritual, which led to an incident where the idol of Lord Balabhadra slipped and fell on the chariot’s ladder on Tuesday evening.
Padhee emphasized strict actions against any disciplinary lapses during the rituals, stating that only designated sevayats will be permitted on the chariots. “Our focus is on ensuring the smooth conduct of rituals with the cooperation of all stakeholders,” Padhee stated in a media address. He mentioned ongoing discussions with the Nijogs (temple servitor bodies) to secure their cooperation in upholding Jagannath culture and preventing any tarnishing incidents.
Further addressing the mishap, Padhee mentioned scheduling another meeting with all Nijogs and seeking forgiveness from the Lords for the unfortunate incident. A panel has been formed to investigate the incident, and steps will be taken to prevent any recurrence during upcoming rituals such as Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha, Niladri Bije, and others.
The mishap occurred during the descent of the heavy wooden idol from Lord Balabhadra’s chariot for transport to Shree Gundicha Temple around 9 pm on Tuesday. Senior servitor Jagannath Swain Mohapatra attributed the incident to improperly tied ropes and an excessive number of sevayats during the pahandi ritual.
SJTA implements mobile ban on chariots following Lord Balabhadra incident
