# Scholars Condemn Sea Immersion of Consecrated Jagannath Idols 2026-08-07T02:56:02+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Religious scholars and Jagannath culture followers have criticised the recent immersion of consecrated idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan in the sea at Puri, Odisha TV reports. They say the practice violates scriptural injunctions and long-standing temple traditions. According to the scholars cited by Odisha TV, damaged idols should be repaired during the Anabasara period or, if worship is no longer possible, given to a recognised monastery or temple. Under the Nabakalebara ritual, old wooden idols are ceremonially buried after new ones are installed. Researcher Pandit Suryanarayan Ratha Sharma said consecrated Jagannath idols should not be immersed in water, as they can float back and wash ashore. ## Coverage - odishatv.in Tags: Jagannath Temple, Odisha, Puri, religious traditions Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/scholars-condemn-sea-immersion-of-consecrated-jagannath-idols/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/scholars-condemn-sea-immersion-of-consecrated-jagannath-idols/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.