Eminent Jagannath Culture Expert, Former Administrator of Srimandir Rabi Narayan Mishra Passes Away

Bhubaneswar: Noted researcher of Jagannath culture, Rabi Narayan Mishra, who was the former Srimandir administrator, passed away on Wednesday evening at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. He was 87 and suffering from advanced age-related complications. He was an eminent writer and columnist.

Coincidentally, he breathed his last on Janmashtami, which is also his birthday.

He was well known as a supreme devotee of the Lord Jagannath. Because of in-depth knowledge about Sri Jaganath temple and its heritage as well as his personal research, he was acknowledged as an expert of Jagannath culture.

He served as an officer in the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS). The highlight of his illustrious career was his tenure as Administrator of the SJTA during which he played a significant role in the development of the 12th-century shrine.

His books and articles on culture, heritage and traditions related to Sri Jagannath and Puri are masterpieces.

Mishra was a native of Kudiari village near Jatani of Khordha district. He was the first headmaster of Kudiari high school. After retirement, he was staying in VSS Nagar of Bhubaneswar.

A pall of gloom descended on the fraternity of intellectuals after news of Mishra’s demise spread.

The former administrator was a columnist writing for ‘Akasha Deepa’. He used to write also for a periodical named ‘Kathatie Kahun’.

Culture Minister Ashwini Kumar Patra, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Satyabrat Sahu and Director Culture Dillip Routray expressed grief over the demise of Mishra and conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family.