Lingaraj Temple Makar Sankranti rituals dispute: Complaint lodged against Rudra Narayan Mohanty

Bhubaneswar: A complaint has been lodged at a local police station against Lingaraj Temple executive Officer Rudra Narayan Mohanty over the suspension of rituals during the Makar Sankranti festival. The controversy spiralled out of control as the daily rituals of Lord Lingaraj were reportedly halted over dispute between servitors, leaving the deity without hungry and neglected for a period.

The written complaint has been filed against the temple’s Executive Officer, Rudra Narayan Mohanty, alleging negligence in the discharge of official duties.

According to the complaint, he failed to ensure smooth conduct of rituals which led to the disruption of traditional worship ceremony during the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti.

The complainant, Amarendra Garabadu, has demanded appropriate action, stating that such lapses hurt the religious sentiments of devotees and undermine the sanctity of the centuries-old temple traditions. The matter is now under police consideration and further investigation is under way.