Blame game in Odisha over delay in 'Brahma Parivartan'

Mudslinging has erupted in Odisha among political parties, administration and temple servitors after inordinate delay in performing the secret "Brahma Parivartan" rituals in Puri's historic Jagannath temple.

"Brahma Parivartan" means infusion of soul substance from old idols into the new idols of Lord Jagannath and siblings.

In a major departure from tradition, the Brahma Parivartan, which should have been completed by Monday night, was completed on Tuesday afternoon, triggering resentment among devotees.

While the opposition Congress and the BJP pulled up the state administration for the breach of tradition, the ruling BJD blamed the temple servitors.

Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Narasingha Mishra said the state administration was responsible for "the grave irregularities" and pulled up Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for remaining tight-lipped on the issue.

BJP's legislature party chief Basant Panda demanded initiation of criminal proceedings against those responsible for "such grave mismanagement, marking an unpardonable and colossal breach of the age-old Puri temple customs and traditions".

On the other hand, the ruling BJD passed the buck on to the "Sebayats" (servitors of the temple).

"The temple administration and state government have no role in the delay as the ritual is the prerogative of the temple servitors," said BJD spokesperson Sameer Dash.

Meanwhile, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration chief Suresh Mohapatra said the temple administration will conduct a detailed review and take action against those responsible for the delay.

"The temple administration will conduct a detailed review of the delay in the entire rituals starting from Brahma Parivartan in the new idols to the Patali (burial) of the old idols. If any irregularities come to notice, appropriate action would be taken against those responsible for the delay," he said.

He said it has been learnt that the delay was due to internal wrangling among the senior and junior temple servitors.