Bhubaneswar, Feb. 4:Tension prevailed at the 12th century Jagannath temple in Puri, following a reported scuffle between a section of sevayats (servitors) and a group of army jawans.

The jawans belong to the army cantonment at Golabandha in Berhampur.

Sources said the scuffle had taken place over the issue of dakshina (money offering). A group of seven jawans today went to the temple around 7am to have darshan of Lord Jagannath and His siblings.When they were inside the sanctum sanctorum, a servitor, Somnath Mekap, sought donation from them in the name of the Lord.

One of the jawans, T. Madhav Rao, put a Rs 50 note on the platter that Mekap had held out for money. However, the jawan asked the servitor to return Rs 40. When Mekap did not agree to this, all hell broke lose. First, there was a heated exchange between the jawans and the sevayat, and then a scuffle followed.

Soon another servitor, Loknath Pujapanda, joined Mekap, and the brawl flared up. Sources said both the sides suffered minor injuries. Normality was restored after temple police had intervened into the matter.

Later, both the groups lodged complaints at Singhadwar police station. However, with the intervention of senior servitors and police officials, both the groups agreed to withdraw their complaints, and a compromises was worked out. The temple'spublic relations officer Laxmidhar Puja Panda said: "It was just an argument and nothing more."

Puri superintendent of police Ashish Singh said: "The local police officials have sorted out the issue. Now, everything is normal."

However, the people have reacted sharply to the tendency among the temple servitors in case of demanding dakshina. "The servitors invariably harass the people visiting the temple for money. This should be discouraged," said Dillip Mohanty, 52, an entrepreneur.

However, senior servitors defended the accusation. "One should not blame the servitors. Sometimes, misunderstanding takes place, and it leads to exchange of words. The devotees should realise that the servitors have dedicated their life for the cause of the Lord. If they don't pay something to them, how will their families survive," said Ramakrushana Dasmohapatra, a senior servitor of the temple.

In yet another development, special officer in charge of ratha yatra Suresh Mohapatra today visited Kakatpur near Puri and reviewed the preparations for the upcoming Nabakalebar festival when the idols will be replaced.