Fake Receipt Row at Puri Jagannath Temple; Devotee Alleges Cheating Over Bana Ritual

Bhubaneswar: Allegations of cheating have surfaced at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri after a devotee was reportedly issued a fake receipt for placing a ritual flag (Bana) atop the sacred Neelachakra.

The incident came to light on Thursday when a devotee from Hyderabad, identified as Bijendra Kedia, approached the temple office along with a servitor and presented a receipt claiming permission for the Bana ritual. However, upon verification, officials found that the receipt had not been issued by the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and was forged.

According to reports, the devotee had paid around Rs 5,600 to an individual identified as Ranjit Kar for facilitating the ritual. The alleged fraud has raised concerns over unauthorized practices targeting devotees at the temple.

Following the complaint, the Chief Administrator of the temple has issued a notice to the concerned servitor, seeking a response within three days. A formal complaint has also been lodged at the Singhadwar Police Station regarding the alleged forgery.

Officials reiterated that the process for placing a Bana on the Neelachakra is strictly regulated and conducted through a lottery system, under which only selected devotees are permitted to perform the sacred ritual.