The Lingaraj Temple Satwa Lipi (Record of Rights) Committee has recommended round-the-clock surveillance at the 11th-century shrine through installation of CCTVs both inside the sanctum sanctorum and within the premises. The move aims to monitor the conduct of rituals and prevent disruptions by servitors.
Committee Submits Second Interim Report
The committee, constituted by the state government last year under the chairmanship of former judge D P Choudhury, submitted its second interim report to the government on Monday. The report contains 16 recommendations on various issues related to the shrine, focusing on improving temple management and enhancing the experience of devotees. Comprehensive surveillance coverage through CCTVs is among the prominent suggestions.
Prafulla Kumar Mishra, a member of the two-member committee, stated, “The move is intended to ensure greater transparency in the conduct of rituals and to address longstanding concerns regarding irregularities and disputes involving servitors. Currently, there is no mechanism to check if rituals are being performed as per the Record of Rights (RoR) and if any servitor is encroaching upon the niti (ritual) rights of other servitors, which is often the reason behind disputes. CCTVs will certainly improve the situation.”
Mishra, a Sanskrit scholar, added, “The state government will decide how many and when the CCTVs will be installed.”
Improved Lighting and Infrastructure
In addition to surveillance, the report highlights the urgent requirement for improved illumination within the temple premises and underscores the need for strengthening infrastructure. Better lighting, the committee noted, would facilitate smoother movement of devotees and strengthen overall security arrangements.
The panel has further recommended the development of basic amenities for devotees, including drinking water facilities and improved sanitation outside the shrine. Law department officials said the recommendations are part of a broader effort to streamline temple administration.
“Further examination of RoR and land documents is underway to codify the rights and duties of servitors under the Satwa Lipi framework and recognise their land rights. We are also studying the feedback received from the public on Lingaraj temple,” Mishra said.
Other Recommendations
Other recommendations relate to temple rituals and worship practices, disciplined conduct of rituals, repair of the sanctum sanctorum and temple kitchen, and special behavioural training for servitors.
The first interim report was submitted by the committee in January this year, recommending a dedicated “Lingaraj Temple Act” to govern the shrine, similar to the Jagannath Temple Act. The report aims to stop ritual disruptions by fixing RoR issues among servitors.
Upon receiving both reports, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that the reports would be thoroughly examined. He added that the state government would take appropriate decisions to ensure well-regulated rituals and the best possible arrangements for servitors, temple functionaries, and devotees at the revered Lingaraj Temple.
