Bhubaneswar: After the servitors of Lingaraj temple demanded repair of the broken idols of the live icon (Chalanti Pratima) of Lord Lingaraj, the Srilingaraj Trust Board has failed to hire artisans for the repair works even after two years.
According to sources, a board meeting held recently discussed about the matter and has sought a time period of one month, to hire skilled artisans. It was also learnt that the executive officer of the trust board has taken up the task to acquire artisans.
Earlier, the Srilingaraj Trust Board had put a proposal before the Mukti Mandap in Puri for repair of the idols. However the Mukti Mandap authorities stated that the repair work should be carried out as per some specific norms.
After learning about the norms to carry out the repair of live idols, many skilled artisans expressed their unwillingness to repair the broken idols. They believe that the living incarnation of Lingaraj should not be repaired in its present form and rather they have suggested for replacement of the idols.
Executive officer of Srilingaraj Trust Board Rajiv Lochan Parida said, “The board has decided to repair the old idols in accordance with the set norms of Mukti Mandap. If the artisans are reluctant to repair the idols as per the norms, then we will again take up the issue with the Mukti Mandap.”
He has also informed that the live idols will be replaced as per an alternative proposal of the Mukti Mandap if the idea of repairing the live idols fails.
Notably, the servitors of the Lingraj temple expressed lack of interest of the temple administration in repairing the decrepit idols. The servitors said that presence of broken idols during conduct of sacred rituals at the shrine is considered ‘inauspicious’.
PNN
