The administration of the iconic Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, issued a public apology and ordered an immediate halt to the sale of its official 2026 calendar on Wednesday. This decisive action came in response to widespread public outrage over the calendar's depiction of the sibling deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra—in positions that violate established temple tradition on the sacred Ratna Singhasan (jewelled throne).
Root of the Controversy: A Century-Old Artwork
In an official statement, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) clarified the source of the contentious image. The artwork was reproduced from a century-old palm leaf manuscript currently preserved at the Odisha State Museum. The administration emphasized that the depiction reflected the specific style of the painter from that historical period and asserted there was no intention to hurt religious sentiments.
"This is the work of a painter of that time. It is hoped that Shree Jagannath lovers will not misunderstand it," the SJTA stated, seeking to placate the devotees' concerns. However, this explanation did little to quell the anger, as the error was seen as a grave deviation from sacred protocol.
Political Parties Condemn the "Unfortunate" Mistake
The issue quickly escalated into a political controversy, with major state parties criticizing the temple administration. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) labeled the error as "extremely unfortunate." Party spokesperson Lenin Mohanty detailed the inaccuracy, pointing out that the calendar showed Lord Balabhadra in Lord Jagannath's position, and Lord Jagannath was placed where Balabhadra should be.
This misplacement, he explained, resulted in Devi Subhadra being depicted with Lord Jagannath on her right and Balabhadra on her left, which is directly contrary to the accepted tradition. Mohanty further alleged that the SJTA failed to consult scholars before using the archaic artwork, stating, "Such mistakes reflect a lack of sensitivity towards Shree Jagannath culture and Odia Asmita."
The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee also joined the criticism. Its president, Bhakta Charan Das, expressed deep disturbance over the "grave inaccuracies" in a post on social media platform X, highlighting that the error even extended to the sacred order of the Rath Yatra.
Immediate Action and Broader Implications
Following the uproar, the temple's chief administrator directed officials to immediately suspend the sale of the calendars, which included both table and wall versions, as well as diaries. A public apology was issued for what was described as an unintentional mistake.
The incident has sparked a broader debate about the preservation of religious iconography and the responsibilities of managing institutions. The established practice, notably observed during the world-famous Rath Yatra, dictates that Lord Balabhadra’s chariot leads the procession, followed by Devi Subhadra's, and then Lord Jagannath's. Any visual representation contradicting this holy sequence is considered highly disrespectful by devotees.
This episode underscores the delicate balance between historical preservation and adherence to living religious traditions, putting the temple administration under scrutiny for its oversight in vetting the material meant for mass public distribution.
