Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) would launch a probe into a reported non-performance of ‘Pahuda’ ritual of the presiding deities of Srimandir on the occasion of Dola Purnima (Holi festival).
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Srimandir sub-committee on rituals (Niti) Thursday.
It has been alleged that lack of coordination among temple servitors and SJTA officials led to non-performance of ‘Pahuda’ ritual on the occasion of Dola Purnima.
“We would initiate a probe to find out the circumstances that led to non-performance of the crucial ritual. Stern action would be taken against the errant people,” said SJTA chief administrator Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra.
It is learnt that the SJTA chief held separate discussions with Badu Suara, Biman Badu and Mahajan servitors on the issue.
According to sources, rituals at Srimandir were suspended soon after the completion of Sakala Dhoopa ritual on the occasion of Dola Purnima. The deities were taken to Dolabedi for conduct of some special rituals.
“The deities were taken back to the temple at 10.15 pm soon after the completion of special rituals. However, the servitors did not perform the ‘Pahuda’ ritual of The Trinity,” said a source.
It is worth mentioning here that the SJTA had earlier decided to expel any servitor who would delay the rituals thrice at the 12th century shrine.
Similarly, a servitor would face expulsion for willful delay in rituals. A proposal in this regard had been approved by the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee earlier this year.
The temple administration had decided to withhold a quarter of the daily remuneration of a servitor for 15-minute delay in the performance of Srimandir rituals. It would hold back half of the daily remuneration of a servitor for 30-minute delay in rituals. Similarly, a servitor would lose his entire remuneration for a day for an hour delay in the performance of rituals.