SJTA Suspends Daita Servitor Ramakrushna Dasmahapatra Over Controversial Remarks

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has suspended Ramakrushna Dasmahapatra, a prominent Daita servitor of the Puri Jagannath Temple, for thirty days due to his controversial statements regarding the Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal.

SJTA Chief Administrator Arvind Padhee issued the suspension, barring Ramakrushna from performing any religious duties or entering the temple premises during the suspension period. The decision comes after Ramakrushna’s involvement in a media interview sparked outrage among devotees and within the servitor community.

Ramakrushna had previously claimed that the idols (Bigrahas) for the Jagannath temple in Digha were carved from leftover sacred Daru wood from the 2015 Nabakalebar ceremony. This statement led to significant unrest, as the sacred Daru wood used in the Nabakalebar ritual is considered highly sacred. His comments tarnished the sanctity of Sri Mandir, according to the official SJTA release.

Further intensifying the controversy, Ramakrushna participated in the consecration ceremony of the Jagannath Dham–Digha temple on April 30, 2025, coinciding with Akshaya Tritiya. Following public backlash, he later retracted his statement, asserting that only ordinary Neem wood, not sacred Daru wood, was used in the idols’ construction.

The SJTA had earlier issued two notices to Ramakrushna. The first, on May 4, sought clarification on his media statements regarding the use of sacred Daru wood, while the second notice, issued on May 9, questioned his participation in the Pratistha (consecration) ceremony at the Digha temple and asked for an explanation regarding any objections raised about the temple’s name.

In his press release, Chief Administrator Arvind Padhee emphasized that the suspension was necessary to maintain discipline within the temple and uphold the revered traditions of Srimandir. He warned that any further violations would lead to stricter disciplinary actions, including the withholding of any payments for past services.

Security personnel at the temple have been instructed to closely monitor Ramakrushna’s actions during his suspension and report any attempts to disrupt the temple’s rituals or interfere with the servitor community.

This incident has highlighted ongoing tensions within the Jagannath temple servitor community and raised concerns about the unauthorized use of sacred materials. The SJTA’s actions are seen as part of an effort to restore order and ensure the continued sanctity of the Sri Mandir.