Puri’s Jagannath Temple Servitors Link Nepal’s Turmoil to Missing Musk Supply
In the heart of Odisha’s Puri, servitors at the famous Jagannath Temple are worried about the unrest shaking Nepal. They see a deep connection between the country’s troubles and the long-stopped supply of kasturi, or natural musk, which Nepal used to send for Lord Jagannath’s rituals. This sacred link between Nepal and the temple dates back centuries, and its break could be causing bigger issues, they say.
Natural musk comes from musk deer in the Himalayan region near Lake Mansarovar in the Kailash area. Temple servitors explain that this rare substance plays a key role in daily worship and special ceremonies. They use it mainly in the secretive Banak Lagi ritual, where they adorn the deities. It also protects the sacred neem wood idols from insects and adds a glow to Lord Jagannath’s face, making the rituals even more vibrant.
Sarat Mohanty, a Chunara servitor at the temple, shared the historic ties between Nepal and Puri. "Nepal’s kings always had a strong spiritual bond with Jagannath Temple," he told us. "They regularly sent this precious musk as a gesture of devotion." In fact, Nepalese monarchs enjoy a unique privilege—they can worship Lord Jagannath directly on the Ratna Singhasana, the temple’s bejewelled throne, during visits to Puri.
But things changed decades ago. Nepal’s strict wildlife conservation laws banned the musk trade to protect the endangered musk deer. Since 2017, even the little supply that continued has dried up completely, Mohanty added. He pointed out that past halts in the musk supply often lined up with disasters in Nepal, like major earthquakes. "The current instability in Nepal might stem from this broken supply to the Jagannath Temple," Mohanty claimed. "State and central governments should step in to restore it. This could help Nepal find peace and progress."
Another servitor, Sanjay Kumar Dutta Mahapatra, echoed these concerns. He highlighted how musk is essential for many rituals at the 12th-century shrine. "Without it, our daily pujas suffer," he said. Mahapatra criticized the temple’s current musk substitute as low-quality and insufficient. He firmly believes Nepal’s refusal to send the real thing is behind the neighboring country’s ongoing struggles.
These servitors aren’t just talking rituals—they see a spiritual thread tying Nepal’s fate to Puri’s traditions. The halt in musk supply doesn’t just disrupt temple ceremonies; it severs an ancient bond that could affect both regions. As Nepal grapples with political and social unrest, voices from Jagannath Temple call for renewed ties to bring back harmony and prosperity. Will governments listen to this call rooted in faith and history?
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