Puri Srimandir Calendar Error Sparks Outcry; SJTA Issues Clarification
Puri, Odisha – An alleged error in the English New Year calendar released by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has triggered objections from servitors, scholars, and devotees.
The controversy centres on the misplacement of the Sibling Deities’ images and deviations from traditional Rath Yatra sequencing.
In the calendar, Lord Balabhadra’s image appeared in Lord Jagannath’s traditional position, while Lord Jagannath was shown where Lord Balabhadra is usually depicted.
A Rath Yatra photograph further added to the dispute, showing Devi Subhadra’s chariot being pulled first, followed by Lord Jagannath and then Lord Balabhadra—an order that does not align with established tradition. Additionally, Lord Sudarshan was missing from the first page of the table calendar.
The calendars, which include table and wall formats as well as diaries, were printed at high cost, reportedly running into lakhs of rupees. Distribution had already begun before concerns were raised.
Servitors expressed deep concern, stating that the error hurt the religious sentiments of devotees. Ganesh Mahasuar, a Srimandir servitor, urged the administration to halt distribution and reprint corrected versions, emphasising that scholars and researchers were not consulted during the design process.
Responding to the criticism, SJTA official Sarat Mohanty acknowledged the mistake as a human error and suggested stopping sales immediately.
SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee later clarified that the image used was based on a 300–400-year-old palm-leaf painting preserved in the Odisha State Museum, reflecting artistic creativity rather than deliberate misplacement.
With objections continuing, attention now turns to whether SJTA will permanently halt distribution and issue corrected calendars to restore devotees’ faith.
