Puri: Defying Supreme Court’s orders which debar servitors from demanding ‘dakshina’, some servitors were seen forcing devotees to put money in the plates near the chariots at Saradhabali here Sunday. This was followed by a scuffle between the devotees and servitors delaying rituals like ‘Gopalballav Bhog’.
Following Supreme Court’s order, the temple administration has asked the servitors not to take ‘dakshina’ from devotees.
Sunday morning some servitors were noticed demanding money from devotees by placing plates near the chariots. Some were even found asking for money for breaking coconuts.
On being informed, officials of the temple administration swung into action and stopped the servitors from taking money. The move irked the errant servitors leading to delay in ‘Gopalballav Bhog’ ritual near Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath.
However, later the rituals were performed. But the servitors expressed their displeasure over the move of the temple administration.
PNN
