Odia actor Sabyasachi Mohapatra has undertaken a remarkable initiative to revive the performance of puja and rituals at a Jagannath temple in Uttarakhand. Janarddhan Pattajoshi Mohapatra, a member of Chhattisha Nijog of Jagannath temple in Puri, discovered that the temple in Uttarkashi was not regularly conducting puja or offering prasad, leading to a decline in devotee visits and neglect of the temple. Deeply moved by the news of the deities going without food, the servitor sought the assistance of Sabyasachi. Coincidentally, the actor and his wife, Archita, were present in Uttarkashi for the shooting of a film at that time. Sabyasachi and Archita visited the temple in Sald village, interacted with the priests, and assessed the situation. They rallied devotees from Sald and nearby villages to visit the temple.

Subsequently, accompanied by the villagers, the actor couple performed puja and offered prasad to the deities at the temple. During their interaction with the locals, Sabyasachi discovered that Lord Jagannath held significant importance as the presiding deity in their traditional and folk songs, including those performed during marriages. The actor expressed surprise and delight at learning that Lord Jagannath was also worshipped in this remote area of the country. Sabyasachi has taken on the responsibility of overseeing all the temple rituals for the next six months and has entrusted the care of the Lords to the local devotees. Sabyasachi Mohapatra’s efforts to revive the puja and rejuvenate the temple demonstrate his commitment to preserving cultural heritage and promoting devotion. His initiative not only brings attention to the neglected temple but also showcases the universality and significance of Lord Jagannath’s worship in diverse regions of the country.