Bhubaneswar, Apr 18 (PTI) After two days of disruptions in Odisha assembly over ritualistic 'irregularities' in Sri Jagannath Temple at Puri, the government today admitted delay in observance of rituals, but denied that deities were left fasting.

"It is a fact that there has been delay in certain rituals, but the deities are not kept on total fasting," Law Minister Pratap Jena informed the House.

Jena made the statement after Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat directed him to do so following disruption of the proceedings since yesterday.

On the allegation that the deities were not offered 'bhog' yesterday, Jena said, "Though other morning rituals were performed on April 17, the temple kitchen could not function as the 'mahaprasad' was kept there due to delay in rituals on the previous day."

Stating that about 8 truck loads of cooked food were kept in the kitchen, Jena said it took time to clear those items. Over 100 people were engaged for cleaning the temple kitchen, which was cleared by 10.50 pm yesterday. The cooking was done thereafter.

"Today, all rituals are being performed smoothly. However, it is a fact that deities were not offered 'bhog' from 'bhog mandap' due to non-cooperation of 'suar' (cook) servitors. The 'mahaprasad,' usually prepared for the people too could not be made today," Jena said.

The minister informed the House that Shree Jagannath Temple Administration's (SJTA) chief administrator has been holding discussion with servitors to resolve the matter.

Jena also told the House that the government has been keeping a close watch on the development in the temple keeping in view the religious sentiments of the devotees.

On the reasons behind the irregularities, he said it was because of the opening of the 'jagamohan' (prayer hall) for public after two years on April 16.

"That (April 16) was 'amabasya' (new moon day) day and there were some special rituals to be performed in the temple.

As the day coincided with opening of the 'jagamohan,' the delay in rituals had occurred," the minister said.

Earlier in the day, opposition members disrupted the proceedings over non-observance of religious rituals including the failure to offer 'bhog' to the deity in the temple. They accused the state government of failing to restore the ritual of offering "bhog" to the deity.

As soon as the House assembled for the Question Hour, Congress Chief Whip Taraprasad Bahinipati and other party MLAs rushed to the well, demanding a statement from the government over wastage of a huge quantity of 'mahaprasad' due to disruption in the rituals.

Amidst the persisting ruckus, Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat adjourned the House several times - first till 11.30 am, later to 12.50 pm and again till 4 pm and finally till 5 pm.

As the deadlock continued, Amat called an all-party meeting during which the Congress legislators demanded th

Bhubaneswar, Apr 18 (PTI) After two days of disruptions in Odisha assembly over ritualistic 'irregularities' in Sri Jagannath Temple at Puri, the government today admitted delay in observance of rituals, but denied that deities were left fasting.

"It is a fact that there has been delay in certain rituals, but the deities are not kept on total fasting," Law Minister Pratap Jena informed the House.

Jena made the statement after Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat directed him to do so following disruption of the proceedings since yesterday.

On the allegation that the deities were not offered 'bhog' yesterday, Jena said, "Though other morning rituals were performed on April 17, the temple kitchen could not function as the 'mahaprasad' was kept there due to delay in rituals on the previous day."

Stating that about 8 truck loads of cooked food were kept in the kitchen, Jena said it took time to clear those items. Over 100 people were engaged for cleaning the temple kitchen, which was cleared by 10.50 pm yesterday. The cooking was done thereafter.

"Today, all rituals are being performed smoothly. However, it is a fact that deities were not offered 'bhog' from 'bhog mandap' due to non-cooperation of 'suar' (cook) servitors. The 'mahaprasad,' usually prepared for the people too could not be made today," Jena said.

The minister informed the House that Shree Jagannath Temple Administration's (SJTA) chief administrator has been holding discussion with servitors to resolve the matter.

Jena also told the House that the government has been keeping a close watch on the development in the temple keeping in view the religious sentiments of the devotees.

On the reasons behind the irregularities, he said it was because of the opening of the 'jagamohan' (prayer hall) for public after two years on April 16.

"That (April 16) was 'amabasya' (new moon day) day and there were some special rituals to be performed in the temple.

As the day coincided with opening of the 'jagamohan,' the delay in rituals had occurred," the minister said.

Earlier in the day, opposition members disrupted the proceedings over non-observance of religious rituals including the failure to offer 'bhog' to the deity in the temple. They accused the state government of failing to restore the ritual of offering "bhog" to the deity.

As soon as the House assembled for the Question Hour, Congress Chief Whip Taraprasad Bahinipati and other party MLAs rushed to the well, demanding a statement from the government over wastage of a huge quantity of 'mahaprasad' due to disruption in the rituals.

Amidst the persisting ruckus, Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat adjourned the House several times - first till 11.30 am, later to 12.50 pm and again till 4 pm and finally till 5 pm.

As the deadlock continued, Amat called an all-party meeting during which the Congress legislators demanded that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik or the law minister make a statement in the House on the issue.

After the all-party meeting, Bahinipati threatened that the party would not allow the House to function unless the government restored normalcy in the temple.

The treasury bench members, however, said the row was concerned with the faith and beliefs of the millions of Odia people and should not be politicised.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)