Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh announced on Wednesday that strict action will be taken against the servitors who halted the rituals of Lord Lingaraj at the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.
He described the incident as highly unfortunate and said stopping temple rituals hurt the religious sentiments of devotees.
Speaking to the media, Singh emphasised that servitors are appointed to perform rituals, not to decide whether they should be conducted. He declared that those who stopped the rituals should not be considered eligible to continue temple service. The MLA urged all servitors to respect traditions and ensure that devotees’ emotions are not hurt.
On the sacred occasion of Makar Sankranti, Lord Lingaraj, the presiding deity of Bhubaneswar, remained fasting after rituals at the temple were suspended.
According to reports, the suspension resulted from a dispute between Brahmin Nijog and Badu Nijog. Both groups blamed each other, and sevayats halted the rituals. Only darshan and bhog continued, while the deity remained without the traditional offerings.
The conflict began on Tuesday evening over the Nabanka Bedhha Kheera Auta ritual. The Ghrutakamal offering could not be performed, leading to a complete halt of rituals on Makar Sankranti. Brahmin Nijog secretary Biranchi Narayan Pati said that until a separate law for Lord Lingaraj is enacted, such disputes will persist.
Badu Nijog questioned why they were stopped from performing the Ghritakamal ritual, which they had carried out until 2024. They pointed out that the matter is pending in court, with the next hearing scheduled for February 2026. They also accused the temple administration of failing to intervene, which allowed the rituals to remain suspended.
Badu Nijog secretary Kamalakanta Badu said the dispute is already in court and blamed administrative negligence for the crisis. He added that neither Brahmin nor Badu Nijog has received clear written instructions on who should perform the ritual.
The dispute has persisted since 2004. The Debottar Commission had earlier advised continuing rituals by excluding the contested Kheera Auta, but sevayats did not accept the recommendation. Badu Nijog even challenged the directive in the High Court, prolonging the conflict. As a result, Lord Lingaraj remains fasting, and devotees continue to wait for a resolution.
