Gajapati Maharaja is the chief servitor of Lord Jagannatha temple. He is the chairman of the Temple managing committee also. He is seen on traditional costume during the “Chhera Pahanra” or the sweeping of chariot ritual on the chariots. Presently Dibyasingha Deba-IV is acting as the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri.
Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deba-IV is a very eminent personality in Odisha. He always has shown interest in protecting the tradition of Jagannath temple and argued many times before the management & Govt for the protection of temple rituals and tradition. He is also the hereditary chairman of the Shri jagannath temple Managing Committee.
1953 born Jenamani Kamarnaba Deba was entrusted as Gajapati Maharaja of Puri Dibyasingh Deba on the date 8th July 1970 after the investiture ceremony held at Puri SriNahara ( Palace) . On 29th November 1971 his Bratopanayan utsav held at puri and he took oath before Jagannth to furnish his rituals in the Shrimandir on the Saree Bandha ceremony. This ritual is important to all Sevayats of Lord Jagannath who wish to take the assignment of furnishing the rituals as per tradition and ecord of rites.
He was educated at Rajkumar College, St Stephen’s College and Delhi University. He attended his LLM at North west University of Chicago. He has practiced at the Supreme Court of India and High Court under eminent advocates of India.
On 3rd December 1978 he married Raj kumari Binita of Jammu Royal family. As per the tradition her name was also changed in Puri as Maharani Sahiba Leelabati Patamahadei. He has completed 3 Nabakalebar festivals till date.
