The controversy surrounding the Digha Jagannath temple took a fresh turn as a new complaint was filed against Ramakrishna Das Mahapatra, the secretary of the Daitapati servitor community, at the Singhadwara Police Station in Puri.
The complaint was lodged by Jagannath Sena, a socio-religious organisation, demanding an immediate and transparent investigation into the alleged unauthorised transportation of sacred wood (darus) from the Puri Srimandir’s premises.
The organisation has raised concerns regarding who took the sacred wood, how it was transported, and whether proper permissions were obtained. They have also called for an audit of the Darughara (wood storage area) to verify the current inventory of materials used for sacred rituals.
Jagannath Sena members believe the matter is being covered up due to the approaching Rath Yatra. They have urged authorities to take strict action against individuals involved, citing a potential defamation of Odisha’s rich temple heritage.
The complaint follows an earlier allegation by RTI activist Jayanta Das, who accused Mahapatra of removing the sacred wood without authorisation from the temple administration.
While officials have yet to comment, sources indicate that internal inquiries may soon be conducted to assess the situation. The issue has sparked outrage among devotees, with many demanding greater oversight and transparency in temple management, especially regarding sacred rituals like Nabakalebara.
