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SJTA initiates action to investigate use of Daru from Puri Jagannath Temple at Digha Jagannath Temple

Puri, May 3 (UNI) The alleged use of surplus Daru (sacred neem wood) from the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri for making idols at the Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal, has taken a new turn.
The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has initiated action to find out the truth behind this sensitive matter.
The move comes after an interview with Ramakrushna Dasmahapatra on a Bengal TV channel went viral. In the interview, Ramakrushna claimed that he had brought Bigrahas (idols) made from Daru and installed them at the Digha Jagannath Temple on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.
His statement sparked strong reactions from devotees and Jagannath followers on social media, many of whom demanded a government probe.
In response, Ramakrushna held a press conference on Friday where he denied the allegations. He clarified that he had only used regular neem logs to carve the four Bigrahas—of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Sudarshan—and accused electronic media of spreading misinformation.
Meanwhile, local media channels began airing the original Bengali-language interview, where Ramakrushna had reportedly stated the use of Daru for the Bigrahas at the Digha temple. The issue, which touches deep Odia religious sentiments, prompted the state government to intervene.
Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan directed the SJTA to launch a formal investigation.
Following this, SJTA Chief Administrator Arvind Padhee convened a meeting with key traditional stakeholders, including the Deula Karan, Tadhau Karan, Pattajoshi Mahapatra, Chhatisha Nijog President, and Bhitarchhu Mahapatra, to discuss the matter.
Later that afternoon, Padhee also met with the Badagrahis—the four Daita servitors in charge of the deities during the Rath Yatra—who had participated in the 2015 Nabakalebar ritual. Statements were recorded from three of the four Badagrahis, all of whom called for a thorough investigation into this sensitive issue that touches upon the religious sentiments of devotees.
The four Badagrahis are Jagannath Swain Mohapatra (Lord Jagannath), Jagannath),Haladhar Dasmahapatra (Lord Balabhadra), Balabhadra),Ramchandra Dasmahapatra (Devi Subhadra), Patimohapatra (Lord Sudarshan)
In the evening, the Chief Administrator also met with the three Biswakarmas (traditional hereditary carpenters) who sculpted the deities during the 2015 Nabakalebar. They stated that the carving process was conducted in secrecy, with no one allowed to exit the premises until the work was complete.
According to Biswakarma Bijay Mahapatra (of the Nandighosh Rath), all surplus Daru was stored under the supervision of the Daitapatis, and the remaining logs were not of sizes suitable to carve Bigrahas measuring 2.5 to 3 feet.
The Chief Administrator has issued notices to the presidents and secretaries of all Nijogs (servitor associations), asking them to submit any information they may have regarding the matter in writing by 5 PM on Sunday.
Senior Daitapati Ramachandra Dasmahapatra emphasised the unlikelihood of anyone removing Daru from the temple store without detection and called for a thorough investigation if such a breach had occurred.
During Nabakalebar, nearly all able-bodied male members of the Daita community traditionally travel on foot to locate the sacred Daru logs, guided by dreams from Goddess Mangala of Kakatpur. After selecting the trees, they return with four logs on specially crafted carts.
Inside the temple, the Biswakarmas carve the deities in a secluded area under the supervision of senior Daitas. The unused logs are stored at Koilibaikuntha (the deities’ burial ground) within the temple complex. It is also where the discarded deities are interred.
According to temple sources, the surplus Daru is stored for emergencies. Once placed in storage, the Daitas lock the room and hand over the keys to the temple’s security chief, known as the Commander. There have been instances where Biswakarmas were summoned to carry out secret repairs to the deities late at night.
Devotees are closely following the developments, while the Gajapati (king of Puri) and other senior servitors have so far maintained silence on the issue.
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Tags: #SJTA initiates action to investigate use of Daru from Puri Jagannath Temple at Digha Jagannath Temple
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SJTA initiates action to investigate use of Daru from Puri Jagannath Temple at Digha Jagannath Temple

04 May 2025 | 12:43 AM

Puri, May 3 (UNI) The alleged use of surplus Daru (sacred neem wood) from the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri for making idols at the Jagannath Temple in Digha, West Bengal, has taken a new turn.

see more..