Servitors’ scuffle fails to stall Shivratri celebrations at Lingaraj Temple

Bhubaneswar: An alleged scuffle between servitors nearly threatened to derail Shivratri celebrations at Lingaraj Temple on Sunday before intervention from temple authorities and district administration put the rituals back on track, allowing the Mahadeepa to be lifted atop the temple at 8.30 pm, 1.5 hours ahead of schedule.Elaborate arrangements had been made to ensure smooth conduct of Shivratri at the shrine. But the rituals and public darshan were initially disrupted after a section of servitors got into a scuffle on the temple premises.The disturbance was caused by a demand by some servitors to allow their family members to enter for Ada Katha darshan, in an area close to the sanctum sanctorum, through the south gate. But the gate was designated for VIP pass holders and as an exit route for general devotees without passes.Lakhs of devotees had lined up outside the temple since 3 in the morning. But they had to wait for at least five hours before getting a chance for a darshan of Lord Lingaraj.“We were told that VIP darshan is being facilitated first and we will have to wait till that is over,” said Triyambak Pradhan, a devotee. The temple administration had facilitated one-way entry for devotees through the Lion’s Gate and exit through the south gate for better crowd management. Similarly, pass holders were allowed entry and exit through the south gate, and servitors and their families through the north gate.The problem started at around 9.30 am when a group of servitors insisted that their family members be allowed to enter through the south gate, leading to a scuffle with the police and another set of servitors present at the spot. Police said the time designated for darshan for servitors’ family members was from 4 am to 5.30 am, and they were allowed entry into the temple during this period from the north gate.Head of Brahman Nijog, Biranchi Narayan Pati admitted to the squabble between servitors and said a few from their nijog had tried to take their family members through the south gate, which led to the situation.Stating that it was not fair, a servitor of Badu Nijog, Shiba Samantray said entry rules were same for all and should have been followed by everyone, including the servitors.The matter was brought under control following the intervention of DCP Jagmohan Meena. Meena, though, said there was a minor argument between the servitors, which was resolved quickly.