Nepal is witnessing intense unrest, with violent protests forcing Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign. At least 51 people have been killed, government buildings have been set on fire and curfews are in place in Kathmandu. While political reasons like social media bans are being blamed, sevaks (servitors) of the Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha believe there is a deeper spiritual cause - the stoppage of kasturi supply from Nepal.
What is Kasturi and Why is it Important in Puri Jagannath Temple?
Kasturi is a rare, fragrant substance obtained from the navel of the musk deer found near Mansarovar Lake in the Himalayan region. At the Jagannath Temple, it plays a vital role:
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Used in the secret ritual ‘Banak Lagi’ to decorate Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
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Protects the wooden idols made of neem wood from insects.
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Enhances the glow of the deities' faces.
Without kasturi, sevaks say daily worship feels incomplete, and centuries-old traditions are at risk.
Nepal and Puri: A Spiritual Bond
The kings of Nepal (Suryavanshi dynasty) and the Gajapati kings of Puri (Chandravanshi dynasty) shared a deep spiritual bond. Nepal's rulers traditionally supplied kasturi to Puri and had the rare privilege of offering prayers to Lord Jagannath on the Ratna throne.
However, after Nepal abolished monarchy in 2008, kasturi supply stopped due to wildlife protection laws. Since then, the temple has been forced to buy kasturi from domestic sources, which is both costly and less effective.
Is Nepal's Unrest Connected to the Stoppage of Kasturi?
Sevaks strongly believe so. They point out that Nepal faced major earthquakes after kasturi supplies were halted in 2008, and now violent protests are shaking the nation. They see this as divine displeasure.
Call for Action
Temple servitors have appealed to the Indian government and the Jagannath Temple administration to restore kasturi supply from Nepal. They stress that the absence of kasturi is not just affecting rituals but also weakening the centuries-old spiritual connection between Nepal and Puri.
