Bhubaneswar, Aug 10: The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) issued a notice to Pratihari servitor Shivashankar Mohapatra, holding him responsible for the delayed conduct of the Dwaraphita ritual on Friday.

The notice accuses Mohapatra of violating temple norms. According to sources, the Dwaraphita ritual was delayed by 35 minutes, affecting subsequent rituals, including the distribution of Mahaprasad. The temple administration has requested an explanation from Mohapatra for the delay.

SJTA has issued a show-cause notice to the errant servitor, demanding a response within seven days. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action as per the provisions of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act.

Madhav Mohapatra, Secretary of the Pratihari Nijog Palia, supported the administration’s action, noting that concerns over frequent delays in the Dwaraphita ritual were raised during a recent meeting.

“We demanded swift action against those responsible for the delays. The administration’s move is a step in the right direction. There is a need for strict adherence to temple norms and rituals to ensure the smooth functioning of the revered shrine,” Mohapatra said.

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