Puri Panda is a hereditary title held by the chief priests of the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, India. The Panda family has been performing the rituals and puja (worship) at the temple for generations, and the title of Puri Panda is passed down from father to son within the family.
The Puri Panda is responsible for the daily puja rituals at the temple and for the maintenance of the temple's rituals and traditions. He is also responsible for the maintenance of the temple's records and for the management of the temple's assets.
The Puri Panda is an important figure in the Hindu community and is highly respected for his knowledge of the scriptures and his devotion to the deity Jagannath. He is also a popular figure among tourists and devotees who visit the temple, and many people seek his blessings and guidance during their visit to the temple.
The Puri Panda holds a prestigious position within the temple and is an important part of the temple's history and tradition. If you are visiting the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri, you may have the opportunity to meet the Puri Panda and seek his blessings and guidance.
Sevakas are individuals who are responsible for performing ritual services, known as seva-puja, in a temple. Some scholars believe that King Anangabhima Dev of the 13th century created 36 categories of sevakas, referred to as chatisanijog. Over time, the number of sevakas and the associations they belong to, known as nijogs, have grown and additional ritual services have been introduced since the 17th century. The Record of Rights of the Shree Jagannatha Temple includes a list of the various classes of sevakas and other individuals involved in the seva puja and management of the temple.
According to the said list, there are 119 categories sevakas belonging to the temple as follows:
Gajapati Maharaja
Parichha or Rajguru
Chhatisa Nijog Nayak Pattajoshi Mahapatra
Bhitarchha Mahapatra
Talichha Mahapatra
Mudiratha or Mudirasta
Deula Purohita
Pujapanda
Bada panda
Puspalaka
Mahajana
Mudra
Khuntia
Bhandara Mekapa
Palia Mekapa
Akhanda Mekapa
Changada Mekapa
Khata Seja Mekapa
Pratihari
Daita
Pati Mahapatra
Patribadu
Garabadu
Suarabadu
Jyotisha Khuri Nayaka
Mukha Pakhala
Ghatuari
Gochhikara
Suna Goswami
Muduli
Alati Ballita Sevaka
Purana Panda
Datta Mahapatra
Lugadhua and Panikunda
Ballava Jogania
Bimana Badu
Anasara Sudha Suara and Sudha Suara
Hadap Nayak
Bidia Jogania
Asthana Pratihari
Kotha bhoga Yogania
Pradhani
Paika
Lenka
Suar Mahasuara Nijog Nayak Seva
Suar Nijog and Mahasuara
Jagia Mahasuara or Rosha Amina
Badusuar, Thali Tuna and Amalu Suar
Panitibadu and Ghia Parasa
Amalutoli and Purakharada
Tolabadu
Rosha Paika
Bahara Deuli Suar
Bahara deuli Jogania
Rosha dhopakhalia, Angarua, Goborapania and Rabadia
Handi Jogania Tolabati
Birimunda Samartha
Kotha Bhoga Pania
Paniki pata
Nikapa and Gandhana Nikapa
Biribuha
Daudibola
Chunara Garuda sevaka (Mahadipa and Dwajabandha)
Sabata Nijog
Paniapata
Mandani
Chaka Apasara
Mulia Suansia
Binakara
Darpania
Kotha Suansia
Mahabhoi
Gita Gobinda
Bhitara Gaani
Samprada Nijog
Dayanamali
Madeli
Prasada Badu, Badu Mohapatra
Tatua
Patarabandha
Vaijayanti
Chhatara Nijog
Kahalia
Sankhua
Parbajatra Jogonia
Chitrakara
Rupakara
Bania
Tamara Bisoi
Karatia
Bentabindha Paika
Patara Bisoi
Kalabethia
Darji
Kumbhara Bisoi
Malachula Seva
Banua
Chakra Dihudia
Ojha Moharana
Ghanta Seva
Ghantua
Ratha Dahuka
Badhei Sevak (carpenters)
Vaidya (Physician)
Amonia Chhatara
Chhamu Dihudi
Chapa Behera
Chapa Dalei
Mapa Saita Karana / Maha Prashasta seva
Tadau Karana
Deula Karana
Baithi Karana
Kotha Karana
Charchaita Karana
Dayanapatri
Chaulabachha Karana
Matha and Byaktigata seva
Behera Karana