Sevayat Dispute Disrupts Rituals at Lingaraj Temple on Makar Sankranti

Bhubaneswar: Devotees at the historic Lingaraj Temple were left disheartened on Makar Sankranti after rituals were abruptly halted due to a dispute among servitors.

The conflict arose between the Badu Nijog and Suar Nijog groups over rights to perform the Kheera Aauta ritual, leading to the suspension of offerings after the Sandhya Dhupa on Tuesday evening.

This disruption follows a pattern of recurring clashes among temple servitors.

Last year, a similar dispute over the Nabanka Bedha ritual escalated to the Orissa High Court, which ordered suspension of the ceremony after Badu Nijog challenged the temple administration’s directive.

Temple authorities confirmed that rituals remained suspended throughout Makar Sankranti, leaving thousands of devotees disappointed on the auspicious occasion.

District officials are expected to intervene to restore normalcy and ensure the smooth conduct of rituals in the coming days.

The incident highlights the need for stronger coordination among servitor groups and temple administration to safeguard the sanctity of rituals at Odisha’s most revered shrine.