Puri, Jul 16: A heated confrontation broke out inside the Jagannath Temple in Puri during the sacred Banakalagi ritual, leading to the suspension of a temple servitor and the filing of a police complaint by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

The incident reportedly occurred when Rashmiranjan Dutta Mahapatra, a Dutta Mahapatra servitor, objected to the entry of the Temple Commander and a former Niti Administrator into the sanctum during the Banakalagi ritual. Since Banakalagi is considered a highly confidential and sacred ritual performed in seclusion, the servitor allegedly opposed the presence of administrative officials inside the temple during its execution.

According to sources, the disagreement soon escalated into a verbal altercation, which later turned into a physical scuffle involving pushing and shoving between the two sides.

Following the incident, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration suspended Rashmiranjan Dutta Mahapatra from temple service with immediate effect, citing allegations of creating disorder and disrupting temple discipline. The administration has also lodged a complaint at Singhadwar Police Station seeking legal action in the matter.

In an official press statement, the SJTA reiterated that maintaining discipline during the performance of temple rituals remains its highest priority. It stated that during Wednesday's ritual proceedings, the servitor allegedly displayed unruly behaviour, prompting the Temple Commander to submit a report. Based on this report, the Chief Administrator ordered the servitor's suspension from all temple duties until further notice.

The administration further assured devotees that all rituals associated with the upcoming Rath Yatra would continue to be conducted in a timely, disciplined, and devotional manner without disruption.

According to temple sources, the Banakalagi ritual had begun in the early hours of Tuesday at around 4:30 a.m., when the Dutta Mahapatra servitors entered the sanctum. The secret ritual concluded at approximately 9:00 a.m., after which the Mangala Alati and other daily temple rituals were performed as scheduled.