Bhubaneswar, Jan 15: Dispute over rituals between two groups of servitors -- Badu and Mahasuara -- took an ugly turn Wednesday and Lord Lingaraj is facing the consequences.

Lord Lingaraj has been left unattended for third consecutive day and the deity, unfortunately, hasn't been offered any 'Bhoga' since Monday evening.

The scuffle emerged between the groups over Makar Sankranti rituals Monday evening leaving Lord Lingaraj seated on the Makara Mandap outside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

It has disrupted the daily rituals, including the offering of 'Bhoga'. Notably, special rituals of the deity are observed for two days during Makar Sankranti.

The problem started after Badu Nijog members insisted that only they should be performing 'Ghruta Kamala' ritual. As per reports, milk is boiled and churned for preparation of ghee by Badu Nijog and the ‘Ghruta Kamala’ is offered by both Badu and Mahasuara Nijog servitors. However, the Mahasuara servitors started protesting it.

As a result, all the subsequent rituals were stalled despite the deity's ‘Shree Mukha’ was taken to the Makara Mandap following the ‘Pushyabhiseka Sandhya Dhupa’ ritual.

Neither the dispute could be resolved, nor the rituals resumed despite the repeated requests by the temple management.

Speaking to media persons Wednesday, Badu Nijog Secretary Kamalakanta Badu said that they would not resume the rituals until they receive the apologies for the insults directed at them.

"The 'Anga Lagi' ritual is being performed. Devotees are having darshan of Lord Lingaraj with the 'Sahanamela Darshan' is on," stated Kamalakanta Badu.

"However, we will not resume the rituals until we receive the apologies for the insults directed at us (by the Mahasuara servitors)," an agitated Badu Nijog secretary said.

He concluded his statement with a warning saying the issue won't be resolved until the Mahasuara servitors offer apologies for their act.

Devotees have showed disappointment with the development of this issue, while some are quite angry over the servitors' decision to leave the deity unattended for their ego.

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