Odisha Govt paid Rs 2 crore as Compensation to Puri Daitapatis

To keep the servitors of Puri Jagannath Temple in good humour, the Odisha government has paid Rs 2 Crore as compensation to the Daitapati servitors for the loss suffered by them due to the ban on devotees climbing the chariots during the annual Rath Yatra last year which seems to be very embarrassing.

The said amount has been released by Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) from its own fund and later it will be reimbursed through budgetary provisions of the State government.

It was revealed in a letter to Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) dated 12th May, 2016, the state government has directed chief administrator of the shrine body to “accord approval of Rs 2 crore (Two Crore) only towards payment of compensation to Daitapati Nijog for prohibiting the devotees from climbing the chariots during the Rath Yatra, 2015.

The money was given to the Daitapatis for smooth functioning of Nabakalebara on instruction of Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati and court. Puri Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb was also in support of the compensation being provided to the Daitapatis, said by Daitapati Rama Krushna Das Mohapatra.