Puri, Aug 27: Questions have been raised over the regular observance of the traditional Diba Pahuda ritual at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, with senior servitors and devotees alleging that the ritual has not been consistently performed for nearly 15 years.

According to the traditional schedule, Diba Pahuda is performed after the midday meal rituals, allowing Lord Jagannath and the sibling deities to take a brief afternoon rest. During the ritual, the Jaya-Vijaya, Kalahata and Beherana doors are closed. The ritual is traditionally scheduled between 1 pm and 1:30 pm.

However, senior servitors and others have alleged that administrative delays in completing the morning rituals often leave little time for the daytime recess.

Advocate Biswanath Das alleged that Diba Pahuda is now observed only occasionally, particularly on one or two days during Kartika month and Dhanu month (Pahili Bhoga).

Senior servitor Sunil Pujapanda also expressed concern over the deviation from the traditional schedule, stressing that the temple rituals should be conducted according to established traditions and the Record of Rights.

As per the prescribed schedule cited by the servitors, the temple doors are supposed to be opened by 5 am or earlier. Gopalavallabha Bhoga is scheduled by 9 am, Sakala Dhupa by 10 am, Bhoga Mandap by 11 am and Madhyanna Dhupa between 12:30 pm and 1 pm, followed by Diba Pahuda.

The servitors alleged that the opening of the temple doors often takes place after 6 am, causing a cascading delay in subsequent rituals.

The issue has reportedly sparked dissatisfaction among sections of senior servitors and devotees, who have called for strict adherence to the traditional ritual schedule.

They have urged the temple administration to ensure that the daily rituals are performed at their prescribed times and that the traditional provisions governing the temple are given due importance.

The allegations have also raised questions about whether administrative arrangements need to be improved to ensure that established rituals, including Diba Pahuda, are performed regularly without compromising the temple's traditional practices.