You are only a servitor. From where do you get all these gold ornaments to wear?

We are the kin of Lord Jagannath. He has given us all the gold. In fact, I have inherited the ornaments from my ancestors. We consider the Lord as our brother. As the grand car festival is associated with our brother, we put on new clothes and wear all the gold ornaments. I have not even bought a single gold ring for myself since years.

Isn't it true that servitors often demand money from devotees and even succeed in forcing them to pay hefty amounts?

I do not agree with this. I have never even asked for a paan (betel) from the devotees. It depends on the devotees how much money they want to give to the sevayats. But if the devotees do not donate anything, how will a servitor, who has dedicated his entire life for the cause of the lord, run his family? But, anyway, we have set up a police outpost to deal with such issues.

Sevayats have also been accused of indulging in blackmailing tactics during the rath yatra to force administration to give in to their demands for every little issue.

I am hearing this allegation for the first time that we indulge in blackmailing tactics! Sometimes, we try to convince the administration to initiate a few steps for the smooth conduct of the rath yatra. But if they do not give minimum respect to the sevayats' demands, all sorts of problem crop up and indiscipline follows. However, we try to maintain discipline during rath yatra.

The temple has witnessed a lot of infighting between the different sects of the servitors as a result of which the rituals have been delayed.

The entire temple is managed by 36 sects of servitors involving nearly 1,000 people. If one does a mistake, the entire process is delayed, including the offering of mahaprasad (food served to the lord). If you have many brothers, differences are bound to arise at some point or the other. You should not blame the servitors all the time.

What would you say about allegations that the sevayats (servitors) have been misbehaving with devotes coming to Puri?

This is really unfortunate. It hampers the image of Puri. It is because of a few sevayats that all of us have earned a bad name. However, the sevayats should not be blamed always. On a few occasions, the fault lied with the devotees and this fact must not be ignored. The temple administration must pitch in and introduce reforms.

The Puri culture has witnessed a shift now. The sevayats are taking drugs instead of traditional bhang (hemp). What do they need drugs for?

I admit this has been happening. A few of them have started taking drugs including heroin, after falling in bad company. What can we possibly do at this point as this trend is linked to the degeneration of the entire value system of the society?

How is the state of affairs of the temple administration?

Rampant looting of the temple property is going on. Earlier, one additional district magistrate used to manage the affairs of the temple. Now a number of officers have been engaged for this purpose. No one wants to take the responsibility. The chief administrator of the temple is the revenue divisional commissioner and in-charge of nearly seven districts. Though I have nothing to say against him, he does not find time to look into the day-to-day administration of the temple. Now, he is busy with the Posco issue. A regular administrator should be appointed exclusively for the temple.

Why do sevayats oppose the entry of non-Hindus into the temple?

There are many traditions associated with Hindu culture which non-Hindus cannot understand. If we allow them once, there might be an attempt to dilute the Jagannath dharma. That is why we are opposing Iskcon's untimely rath yatra. During rath yatra, we allow everyone to see the Lord. I don't have any hesitation to bring a Muslim or a Christian to get on the chariot.

Doesn't it hurt that the Jagannath temple land is being allotted to industrial houses?

Yes, it is really unfortunate. The land should not be handed over to the private industrial houses, including Vedanta, that too at a throwaway price. All the temple land, even outside the state, should be retrieved and sold and the money deposited in a bank in the name of the Lord.

Do you get agitated when Puri is linked with various sex scams?

There is no police control and there is unnecessary political interference. People are no more scared of the police.

After pursuing higher studies, both of your sons left for greener pastures. Do you ever regret that neither of them stays in Puri and serves Lord Jagannath as a servitor?

They have settled outside, but they have never neglected service to the lord, which has been the tradition of our family since ages. Every year, they come to Puri to do the seva for Lord Jagannath during the rath yatra. If they fail to perform one year, they would be deprived of their rights to do the puja for the rest of lives. They are well aware of this.

A faithful devotee

Popularly addressed as Jaguni, the 70-year-old daitapati is a well-known face of Puri town. His full name is Jagannath Swain Das Mahapatra.

According to him, his sole motive is to serve Lord Jagannath till his last breath. Though only a matriculate, he has acquired knowledge about the Jagannath cult through experience. He claims that the Lord hears his voice and answers all his prayers.

He proudly associates himself with the tribal king, Biswabasu, known as the first worshipper of Lord Jagannath. Besides serving at the temple, Jaguni's other source of income is from his cloth shop in Puri.

His two sons are working in Mumbai, but every year they turn up at the Jagannath temple during rath yatra to perform various rituals.

Jaguni desires to be an active participant during the Naba Kalebara (changing of the bigraha or idol) of Lord Jagannath which is scheduled to be held in 2015.

Though he enjoys political clout and has been able to strike a relationship with many veteran politicians, he refutes speculations about his possible entry into politics in future.

He is considered as the ultimate reference point for tourists coming from all parts of the world.

What would you have been Had you not been a daitapati?

I have never thought of a life without Lord Jagannath. If not a daitapati, I might have been one of his sweepers. By virtue of my birth, I have availed the holy opportunity to serve the Lord. We are the descendants of tribal king Biswabasu, who originally worshipped Jagannath mahaprabhu. We have been blessed to serve the lord of the world. What more could I have asked for? I am among those fortunate persons who have come in touch with the great deity. Very few people are aware of his spiritual greatness and powers.