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New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Orissa High Court issues notice to SJTA on Patabola Seva row
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has issued notice to the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in response to a petition challenging its decision to allowing two persons, who are not descendants of original Record of Rights (RoR) holders to perform the sacred Patabola Seva at the 12th century shrine in Puri. Justice RK Pattanaik issued the notice on Wednesday on the petition filed by Santosh Kumar Patra and seven others seeking the court's intervention against the order issued by the chief administrator on June 12, 2025. The petitioners claimed they are Patara Bishoyi Sevaks and descendants of the original RoR holders, who were specifically assigned to look after the Patabola Seva in the temple. According to the petition, Patabola Seva is a ritual service traditionally reserved for hereditary sevaks. It is a sacred secret service whose knowledge is transferred from generation to generation, and the outsiders have no scope to acquire such knowledge. Sevak means any person who is recorded as such in RoRs. During the hearing, advocate Avijit Patnaik, representing the petitioners, argued that allowing the two persons to take part in the Patabola Seva is contrary to section I21 (2) (1) of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955. The temple administration has encroached upon the religious practice and rights of sevaks, Patnaik contended. In the order on Wednesday, Justice Pattanaik said, 'Considering the facts pleaded on record and plea advanced by the petitioners, the court is inclined to have the response of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration in particular.' The judge issued notice to chief administrator and directed to list the matter on June 25.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
HC notice to SJTA chief over Puri temple ritual
Cuttack: The Orissa high court on Wednesday issued notice to the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in response to a petition filed by Santosh Kumar Patra and seven others, challenging the recent inclusion of two individuals in the sacred 'patabola seva' — a ritual service traditionally reserved for hereditary sevaks of the Puri Jagannath Temple. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The petitioners, who claim to be patara bishoyi sevaks and direct descendants of the original Record of Rights (ROR) holders, argued that the June 12, 2025 order issued by the chief administrator permitting two non-descendants to perform the patabola seva was 'arbitrary and unlawful'. Through their counsel advocate Avijit Patnaik, the petitioners contended that the patabola seva is a sacred and confidential religious duty, the knowledge of which is passed down exclusively through hereditary lines. They alleged that including outsiders not recorded as sevaks in the ROR violates Section 21(2)(1) of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955. The service is not only religious but carries deep cultural and traditional significance, known only to those who have inherited it through generations, advocate Patnaik argued. While hearing the matter, Justice R K Pattanaik said, "Considering the facts pleaded on record and the plea advanced by the petitioners, the court is inclined to have the response of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration in particular." The court directed the SJTA to file its reply and listed the matter for further hearing on June 25. In an interim order, Justice Pattanaik also directed the temple administration to consider excluding the two newly appointed individuals from participating in the ongoing patabola seva, ensuring that the service continues undisrupted in the meantime.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Water park in Bhanjanagar reopens after 10 months
Berhampur: A water park at Bhanjanagar in Ganjam district, which was shut for the past 10 months, was reopened on Sunday. The park, built by the water resources department, was closed since July due to rains and for equipment maintenance. MLA (Bhanjanagar), Pradyumna Kumar Nayak, reopened the park. "The water park will be expanded by adding more features in the coming days," he added. He also opened a food court near the facility. The water park, constructed on around five acres of land at an investment of around Rs 5 crore, was first inaugurated on Jan 26 last year and opened to the public on Feb 1. Visitors from across Ganjam and other districts visited the park till July 24, when it was shut due to monsoon and dwindling visitors. "During this period, we repaired several equipment at the park," said Santosh Kumar Patra, assistant executive engineer, Bhanjanagar irrigation division. "The park has several facilities for all age groups including the wave pool, swimming pool, water slides, Kalinga-style boats for water rides, among others," he said. "The zero-depth entry in the wave pool allows even the little kids to play. When the artificial waves start, kids will be able to hop over the tiny ones in the pool," he said. Biju Patnaik Children's Park, which has been functioning since 2006, is located adjacent to the water park.
