When will the idol of Goddess Mahalaxmi from Ratnasinghasan of the Shreemandir, presently at a ruined stage, be replaced? It is a big question for now.
The supreme deity seating close to the lotus feet of Lord Jagannath is at her receiving end of erosion for last half a century. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has failed to resolve the disputes between various sects of servitors on various points since 2015 Nabakalebar Yatra. As per the Hindu traditions, the defective idols are banned from worship in the temple.
Way back in 1972, it had come to notice that the Mahalaxmi idol already had eroded when Biharilal Patnaik was the administrator of the Shreemandir. A new idol was constructed then. But a dispute on weight and measures of the idol, besides wood used, stood as a roadblock against her enthronement.
When the matter again rose up during 1992-93, the SJTA lastly failed to establish the deity for a difference of opinions among servitors. Even during 2015 Nabakalebar Yatra, the SJTA had moved ahead to accomplish amid the incarnations of trinity. Necessary steps inside the Koili Baikuntha were also taken, but due to disputes within servitors on their rights, the idol couldn’t be enthroned.
Hardly two months ago, did the SJTA form a committee taking five sects of servitors for a physical verification of the present idol. The committee has already furnished a report.
“A committee has submitted a report after a physical verification. The idol was found to be eroded even when we had checked months before the last Nabakalebar Yatra,” said Shreemandir servitor Pandit Padmanav Mahapatra. Mahapatra added that the issue is a difference of opinions within servitors over the making of the idol. Besides, rights to rituals have made a problem, said Mahapatra.
Due to an all corner disputes, the SJTA now is mulling to seek opinions of Jagadguru Sankarcharya. His verdict would be ultimate, sources said.
Notably, the wooden idol of Mahalaxmi, presently enthroned on Ratnasinghasan is covered with gold plate and known to be centuries old. As per sources, during the Maratha rule, the idol was established in the temple. In course of times the idol has undergone wear and tear.
Close to the lotus feet of Lord Jagannath are also worshipped Bhu-Devi and Sri-Devi made of wood logs with silver and gold coatings, respectively.