An alleged error in the English New Year calendar released by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has sparked objections from temple servitors, scholars, and members of the intellectual community in Puri. The controversy revolves around the placement and sequencing of the images of the Sibling Deities of Lord Jagannath Temple.
What Is the Controversy About?
The issue came to light on Wednesday when it was noticed that in the calendar images:
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Lord Balabhadra’s image appeared in the traditional position of Lord Jagannath, and
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Lord Jagannath was placed where Lord Balabhadra is usually depicted.
Additionally, in a Rath Yatra photograph included in the calendar, the chariot of Devi Subhadra was shown being pulled first, followed by Lord Jagannath and then Lord Balabhadra—an order that devotees and scholars say does not align with established tradition.
It was also alleged that Lord Sudarshan was missing from the first page of the table calendar.
Calendars Printed at Significant Cost
The calendars—covering table calendars, wall calendars, and diaries—were prepared by the SJTA at a cost reportedly running into lakhs of rupees. The temple administration had already begun steps to sell them before concerns were raised.
Servitors Express Concern
Ganesh Mahasuar, a Srimandir servitor, voiced concern over the matter, stating that the error had hurt the religious sentiments of devotees.
“I request the administration to immediately stop further distribution of the calendars and reprint them with the Sibling Deities placed in their original positions. I believe this was an oversight, and it should be corrected at the earliest,” he said.
Servitors also alleged that scholars and researchers associated with the temple were not consulted before finalising the calendar design.
SJTA Officials Respond
Addressing the controversy, SJTA official Sarat Mohanty clarified that the committee he was part of had no role in the preparation or promotion of the calendar.
“This was a human error. Since many calendars are yet to be distributed, the sale should be stopped,” he said, adding that traditional Pattachitra artists from Raghurajpur are unlikely to commit such mistakes.
He also noted that even though the calendar was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and the Law Minister, the finer details might not have been closely examined at that stage.
SJTA Chief Issues Clarification
Amid growing criticism, SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee issued a clarification, stating that the image used in the calendar was based on a 300–400-year-old palm-leaf painting preserved in the Odisha State Museum.
“The image was provided by the artist and placed as it is in the calendar. It reflects the artist’s creativity,” he said.
What Happens Next?
With objections continuing from servitors and scholars, attention is now on whether the SJTA will halt distribution permanently and reprint corrected versions to address devotees’ concerns.
