The administration of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri has suspended servitor Kishan Mekap from all seva and puja duties until further notice after a scuffle occurred inside the temple’s Ratna Bhandar during an ongoing inventory process.
The incident reportedly took place on Tuesday when a dispute arose between Mekap and his uncle over access to the treasury chamber. The disagreement escalated from a verbal argument into a physical confrontation within the ‘Bhandar Ghara,’ causing tension amid the inventory proceedings. Temple officials intervened promptly to restore order.
Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee clarified that the altercation stemmed from personal issues between the two individuals and emphasized that the inventory work inside the Ratna Bhandar continued uninterrupted. He also noted that Narayan Mekap was present during the sealing of the inner treasury.
The occurrence has drawn strong reactions from devotees and servitor communities, as such an event inside the sacred Ratna Bhandar is considered highly unusual. Many devotees have expressed concern over the reported disturbance within the temple’s treasury chamber.
Further official updates on the matter are awaited.
This local update is prepared from publicly available information. Readers should verify critical details from official communication where necessary.