Temple Committee Along with Sevayats and Ritual Priests Manage Mangala Temple Operations
Kakatpur (Tushar Ranjan Dixit), 17/10: Even today, questions remain in the minds of devotees regarding the origins, establishment, and traditional rituals of Maa Mangala’s temple. Maa Mangala, a supreme Vaishnavi, is believed to have been retrieved from the Prachi River. After this divine emergence, priests from the Hat and Bat Dixit families, along with the villagers, brought her to the center of Kakatpur village and began worshipping her. At that time, the local landlord, Jagamohan Ray Chudamani, donated land for building the temple and designated sevayats (temple priests) to carry out daily worship. He also granted land in the names of the sevayats, from which the harvested paddy was used to prepare rice (arua chaula) for the goddess’s offerings. The priests survived with difficulty, depending on the temple’s produce to sustain their families.
Back then, the sevayats would go door to door collecting rice, lentils, black gram, millets, etc., from different villages. In return, the villagers would provide them with small homes and basic facilities. The priests themselves would cook, eat, and travel from village to village, spreading the glory of the goddess—a role that played a pivotal part in expanding Maa Mangala’s worship. This service is now being repaid in respect and reverence for those sevayats. After offering traditional sweets like “Gaja Manda” and “Chuda Ghassa” to the landlords, the heads of the families would seek blessings from the sevayats for the well-being of their households. In those times, monetary offerings were minimal—just one or two paise and some unhusked rice.
Sevayats would collect the offerings, bundle them in cloth bags, and, using bullock carts, carry them to Kakatpur. Roads were not well developed then, and the sevayats had to endure great hardship to carry out their services. After collecting rice, black gram, and green gram, they would prepare offerings of eight dishes daily in the temple—along with dal and vegetables. They conducted morning incense offerings (dhoop), then “Bhog” offerings, and again mid-day rituals. The elder priests say these were highly demanding tasks.
Times have now changed. As the number of pilgrims from both Odisha and outside has grown, the temple is now under the Debottar Department (a government division for temple administration). Within the temple premises, several new structures have been developed, including the Jagannath Temple, Sun Temple, Bhagavat Mandap, Jagamohan Mandap, and Puran Mandap. To ensure systematic temple functioning, a Temple Trust Board has been formed. This board includes the local Tahasildar (revenue officer) as chairman, along with government officials and two representatives nominated from among the sevayats.
The committee decides on the rituals, including what attire the deity will wear on which day and what ceremonies will be performed. The priests start their day as early as 3 a.m., beginning with snana-marjana (ceremonial bathing and cleaning) of the goddess, followed by adornment. The bathing ritual is conducted in secrecy using sacred items like turmeric, Ganga water, raw milk, and holy soil. Water is brought from the Bamphi area within the temple premises for this purpose. The priests continue to recite Kanaka Durga mantras during the rituals, maintaining the daily worship practices till today—even during devastating cyclones.
The younger generation is now showing keen interest in learning the traditional methods of worship, taking tests, and earning the honor to serve at the deity’s singhasana (throne).
Testimonies from Temple Leaders and Sevayats:
Manoranjan Panda, President of Sevak Committee, stated:
“In our childhood, the temple wasn’t this developed. Our fathers and grandfathers used to conduct worship using kerosene lamps and torches. Today, the temple has grown significantly, bringing blessings for future generations.”
Jameswar Dixit, Former Principal of Mangala College and Senior Sevayat, shared:
“There were only a few ritual priests back then. Today, many young sevayats are taking up temple service as a vocation, and for that, I express my gratitude. Organizing structured darshan for devotees is key to ensuring a bright future.”
Pradeepta Kumar Dixit, Advisor to the Temple Committee, mentioned:
“My grandfather was a ritual priest. By Maa’s blessing, my younger brother is now a Shodasha Upachara priest. I feel great pride that someone from our family continues to serve the goddess.”
Kamal Lochan Dixit, another Advisor, added:
“My grandfather Ramachandra Dixit served as the chairman of the temple’s trust board. Now, I too have the opportunity to serve Maa Mangala, and I offer my heartfelt obeisance.”
Himanshu Bhushan Dixit, Youth Leader and Senior Sevayat, expressed:
“Maa is our strength. We have grown in her care. Despite being busy, I always find time to assist in temple affairs and advise where I can. As we serve today, the future generations must also step up and contribute.”
