Lingaraj Temple Makar Sankranti Rituals Disrupted by Servitor Dispute
All Makar Sankranti rituals at Bhubaneswar's historic Lingaraj Temple faced complete disruption starting Tuesday evening. A bitter disagreement between two groups of temple servitors forced Lord Lingaraj to remain without traditional offerings. Devotees expressed deep disappointment as the important ceremonies could not proceed.
Ritual Suspension Leaves Deity Without Offerings
The 11th-century shrine witnessed an unprecedented halt in its two-day Makar Sankranti celebrations. Temple authorities suspended all rituals following the 'Sandhya Dhupa' ceremony on Tuesday. No 'bhoga' reached the deity that evening. The crucial 'Makara Chaula' offering also failed to materialize on Wednesday.
Thousands of pilgrims arrived at the temple expecting to participate in the sacred observances. They left feeling let down by the unexpected disruption. The temple management permitted only regular 'sahana mela' public viewing on Wednesday while canceling all special rituals.
Root Cause: Ghee Application Rights Dispute
The conflict centers around the 'Ghruta Kamala Lagi' ritual. This ceremony involves applying specially prepared ghee to Lord Lingaraj's face for protection from cold weather. Both Badu Nijog and Brahman Nijog servitor groups claim exclusive rights to perform this important ritual.
Badu Nijog members maintain they have traditionally handled milk churning and ghee preparation. They insist the 'Ghruta Kamala Lagi' should remain their responsibility with Brahman Nijog assistance. Their leader Kamalakanta Badu stated they performed these rituals without interruption until 2024.
Brahman Nijog representative Biranchi Narayan Pati presented a different version. He claimed his group first offers the ghee to the deity before Badu servitors take over. The disagreement escalated in 2025 when both groups demanded sole performance rights.
Legal Battles and Failed Resolutions
The controversy previously halted the ritual in 2023. Last December, the then Khurda collector attempted mediation as temple trust board president. He issued an order assigning 'Dugdha Melana' milk offering to Brahman Nijog while giving 'Ghruta Kamala Lagi' to Badu servitors.
Kamalakanta Badu immediately challenged this decision in the Orissa High Court. The court stayed the collector's order on Monday, ruling the official lacked authority to settle servitor disputes. This legal intervention came just before Makar Sankranti celebrations.
The Endowment Commission had directed Khurda administration to convene a servitor meeting on Tuesday. Officials hoped to ensure uninterrupted rituals, but the meeting never materialized. Both groups now promise to resume daily rituals from Thursday onward.
Broader Implications and Political Reactions
Biranchi Narayan Pati highlighted systemic issues behind the recurring conflicts. He emphasized that such disputes will continue disrupting temple ceremonies until implementation of the Lingaraj Temple Act. This legislation aims to establish clear protocols for temple management and servitor responsibilities.
Local MLA Babu Singh expressed strong disapproval of the ritual suspension. He warned that authorities would take strict action against servitors responsible for halting the important Makar Sankranti observances. The political intervention underscores the temple's significance in Odisha's cultural and religious landscape.
The Lingaraj Temple stands as one of Bhubaneswar's most important religious sites. Its rituals attract devotees from across Odisha and beyond. This year's Makar Sankranti disruption marks another chapter in ongoing administrative challenges facing India's historic temples.
