Puri Shankaracharya blames Odisha Govt for Nabakalebara Fiasco

Shankaracharya of Puri Govardhan Peeth Swami Nischalananda Saraswati on Friday blamed the State government in the affairs of Jagannath temple administration, particularly for Nabakalebara fiasco.

Addressing a press meet in Puri, the head of the Govardhan Peeth came down heavily on the adamant functioning of the state government in relating Nabakalebara rituals and demanded a thorough examination of the temple laws.

“Chaos and anarchy prevails in the Jagannath temple. The rituals are not being followed properly. The government doesn’t have the right to interfere in the religious affairs of the temple. There is a need to examine the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) laws,” the spiritual guru complained.

“The government should act as a facilitator of temple rituals, not the ruler”, he said.

The state government and the SJTA have already invited criticisms from different quarters across the state and outside for the mismanagement of Nabakalebara rituals.