Servitor served notice over ″use″ of Puri Jagannath temple sacred wood to make idols in Digha shrine

“The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) of Puri, Odisha, has issued a show-cause notice to a senior servitor over the alleged use of surplus sacred wood of the 12th-century shrine in crafting idols in a temple at Digha in neighbouring West Bengal,” officials said.

“The notice was issued to Daitapati Nijog secretary and senior servitor Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra on the charge of “creating confusion in the minds of countless devotees and worshippers” of Lord Jagannath through his contradictory statements and “tarnishing the dignity” of the temple,” a statement issued by the administration said.

'Daitapati Nijog' is a group of servitors, considered bodyguards of Lord Jagannath. Mr. Dasmohapatra has been asked to give his reply within seven days from May 4. “If a satisfactory explanation is not received within this time, strict disciplinary action will be taken as per the Sri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955," the notice said.