Bloody Brawl Between Servitors Delays Rituals at Puri Jagannath Temple

Puri: Two servitors at the Puri Jagannath temple got into a tussle over the sharing of Pitha (cake) Prasad, shortly after the Dipahar Dhoopa ritual for the presiding deities resulting in bloodstains on the shrine’s sanctum sanctorum.

Suar servitor Babuli Pradhan and Patribadu servitor Madhab Patri exchanged blows during the quarrel, with Pradhan sustaining injuries on his face. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) promptly performed the Bada Mahasnana (sanctification ritual) before proceeding with the usual rituals for Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. This delay temporarily halted the public darshan.

The injured servitor was rushed to a hospital in Puri, and the authorities were informed. In response, the police have initiated an investigation into the incident, questioning both servitors involved.

This incident disrupted the temple’s regular schedule, and the authorities took swift action to address the situation and maintain the sanctity of the shrine.