Temple trust board hints at repair of old idols according to set norms
Bhubaneswar: Servitors of Lingaraj temple here have demanded immediate repair or replacement of the broken idols of the live icon (Chalanti Pratima) of the presiding deity of Ekamra Khetra – Lord Lingaraj.
The servitors have expressed concern over the fact that even though the idols have remained in decrepit condition for decades, the temple administration has turned a blind eye to the issue. Presence of broken idols during conduct of crucial rituals and functions at the shrine is considered ‘inauspicious’, they added.
According to sources, the Srilingaraj Trust Board had put a proposal before the Mukti Mandap in Puri for repair of the idols. However, the repair work is yet to begin even though a year has elapsed.
Meanwhile, the new executive officer of the trust board, Rajiv Lochan Parida, has taken up the issue with key functionaries of the temple administration and the Servitor Niyog chief.
It is learnt that skilled and competent artisans have expressed their unwillingness to repair the broken idols as they believe that the living incarnation of Lingaraj should not be repaired in its present form. They, instead, suggested replacement of old idols with new ones. However, the Mukti Mandap has rejected the proposal.
Mukti Mandap members argued, “Do we throw away our parents when they grow old. Rather, we take proper care of them and treat them when they fall ill.” Keeping this in view, Parida has hinted at repair of old idols, which the trust board has agreed to.
The board has decided to repair the old idols in accordance with the set norms, said Parida.
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