Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar: The Lingaraj Temple Satwa Lipi (Record of Rights) Committee on Monday recommended round-the-clock surveillance at Lingaraj Temple through the installation of CCTVs both inside the sanctum sanctorum and within the premises of the shrine to monitor the conduct of rituals and prevent disruptions by servitors.is one of the suggestions made by the Lingaraj Temple Satwa Lipi (Record of Rights) Committee to monitor the conduct of rituals and prevent disruptions by servitors at the 11th-century shrine.The committee, constituted by the state govt last year under the chairmanship of former judge D P Choudhury, on Monday submitted its second interim report to the govt, giving as many as 16 recommendations on various issues pertaining to the shrine, aimed at improving temple management and enhancing the experience of devotees.
Prominent among them is comprehensive surveillance coverage through installation of CCTVs.Prafulla Kumar Mishra, member of the two-member committee, said, “The move is intended to ensure greater transparency in the conduct of rituals and to address longstanding concerns regarding irregularities and disputes involving servitors. Currently, there is no mechanism to check if rituals are being performed as per the Record of Rights (RoR) and if any servitor is encroaching upon the niti (ritual) rights of other servitors, which is often the reason behind disputes.
CCTVs will certainly improve the situation.”“The state govt will decide how many and when the CCTVs will be installed,” Mishra, a Sanskrit scholar, added.In addition to surveillance, the report has also highlighted the urgent requirement for improved illumination within the temple premises and underlined the need for strengthening infrastructure within the shrine. Better lighting, the committee noted, would not only facilitate smoother movement of devotees but also strengthen overall security arrangements.The panel has further recommended the development of basic amenities for devotees, including drinking water facilities and improved sanitation outside the shrine. Law department officials said the recommendations are a part of a broader effort to streamline temple administration. “Further examination of RoR and land documents is underway to codify the rights and duties of servitors under the Satwa Lipi framework and recognise their land rights.
We are also studying the feedback received from the public on Lingaraj temple,” Mishra said.The other recommendations are related to temple rituals and worship practices, disciplined conduct of rituals, repair of the sanctum sanctorum and temple kitchen and special behavioural training for servitors.The first interim report was submitted by the committee in Jan this year, recommending a dedicated “Lingaraj Temple Act” to govern the 11th-century shrine, similar to the Jagannath Temple Act.
The report aims to stop ritual disruptions by fixing RoR issues among servitors.Upon receiving both the reports, law minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that the reports would be thoroughly examined. He added that the state govt would take appropriate decisions to ensure well-regulated rituals and the best possible arrangements for servitors, temple functionaries and devotees at the revered Lingaraj Temple.
