Puri, May 20: The administration of Jagannath Temple has suspended senior servitor Narayan Mekap following a scuffle inside the temple’s Ratna Bhandar.

According to sources, the altercation took place between Bhandar Mekap servitor Madhusudan Mekap alias Kunipua and his nephew Narayan Mekap alias Kishan over a dispute related to performing temple services. The argument reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation and heated exchange inside the Ratna Bhandar.

The situation was later brought under control after the intervention of administrative officials and police personnel. The temple administration subsequently initiated action by suspending Narayan Mekap.

The scuffle has emerged as an unprecedented incident in the history of Jagannath Temple. However, no official statement has yet been issued by the Bhandar Mekap servitors regarding the matter.

Reacting to the incident, temple Chief Administrator Aravind Padhee clarified that none of the temple rituals or official activities were affected due to the altercation. He stated that the dispute stemmed from prior personal differences between the two servitors and advised them to resolve the matter amicably through mutual discussion.

Padhee further informed that Narayan Mekap had accompanied the Ratna Bhandar inspection team as usual prior to the incident.