The people who perform the ritual services at the Jagannath temple are called the Sevayats or servitors. These sevayats acquire their position hereditaryly. Records of 13th century A.D. and of the British period suggest that there were 36 categories of sevayats. Within the last two centuries the number of categories has been increased from 36 to 250.
The first sevayat of Lord Jagannath is Gajapati, the king of Puri. He as a sevayat is expected to perform certain duties and rituals on certain occasions. The major ritual is that he sweeps the three chariots of the lord with a golden broomstick.
Earlier the head of the sevayats used to be the Rajaguru. Today Patjoshi Mohapatra is the head of all Servitors. He is entrusted with the functions of managing the Pariccha. He ensures that the Servitors perform their duties properly and rites of temple are observed regularly.
Bhitara-Chha Mohapatra looks after the sanctity of the Bhoga being offered to the deities and also to the cleanliness of the temple premises. Taluchha Mohapatra likewise looks after the cleanliness of the kitchen. Mudirath performs all works of the King in latter's absence as his representative. The temple Purohit chants Vedic Mantras and performs Japas. Pujapandas performs the ritualistic Puja (worship). Puspalaks dress up the deities, smear sandal wood paste etc. Khuntias guard the sacred body of the deities. The Mekaps remain in charge of different store articles. Pratiharis keep guard over different strategic points. Suars cook the food offerings. Karans keep the accounts of all expenditure both cash and materials. Bhitara Gaini Seva (service) is performed by the Debadasis who sing songs before the deities. The Daitas perform all duties during Snana Purnima and Ratha Yatra (Car Festival) and plays an important role during Nabakalebar, the ritual in connection with changing of wooden bodies of the deities. It is said that they are the decedents of the Shabara chieftain Biswabasu, who was worshiping Jagannath before the Lord came to this temple and hence the Daitas are considered as close relatives of Jagannath.
Nearly 75 such sevayats perform their functions daily and without any salary. They are only entitled to get a portion of the total Bhoga or offerings. This portion is known as ‘Khei’. A few sevayats also get cash rewards from the management. On special occasions like Rath Yatra, all the sevayats are given cash rewards.
Today, there are 119 categories of sevayats at the temple according to the Record of Rights of the temple. These categories are:
1. Gajapati Maharaja
2. Pariccha or Raj Guru
3. Chhatisha Nijog Nayak(the head of the Servitors) - Pattajoshi Mohapatra
4. Bhitarchha Mohapatra
5. Talichha
6. Mudrahasta or Mudirasta
7. Deula Purohit
8. Puja Panda
9. Badapanda
10. Pushpalaka
11. Mahajana
12. Mudra
13. Khuntia
14. Bhandara Mekapa
15. Palia Mekapa
16. Akhanda Mekapa
17. Changada Mekapa
18. Khataseja Mekapa
19. Pratichari
20. Daita
21. Pati Mahapatra.
22. Patribadu
23. Garabadu
24. Suarabadu
25. Khurinayak
26. Mukhapauhala
27. Ghatuari
28. Gochhikara
29. Suna Goswami
30. Muduli
31. Alatibalita Sevaka
32. Puranapanda
33. Duttamahapatra
34. Lugadhua and Pani Kunda Sevak
35. Ballava Jojania
36. Bimanabadu
37. Anasara Sudasuara and Suda Suara
38. Hadapanayak
39. Bidia Jogania
40. Khatuli Sevak
41. Astana Pratihari
42. Kothabhog Jogania
43. Pradhani
44. Paila
45. Lenka
46. Suaranijoga Nayak
47. SuaraniJoga and Mahaswara
48. Jagia Mahasuara
49. Badu Suara, Thali, Tuna and Amalu Suara
50. Panti Badu
51. Amalutola, Purakharadi
52. Tolabadu
53. Rosha Paika
54. Baharadeuli Suara
55. Baharadeuli Jogania
56. Rosha Dhopakhalia, Angarua, Gobarapania and Rabadia
57. Handi Jogania
58. Birimunda Samartha
59. Kothabhoga Pania
60. Panikipata
61. Nikapa and Gandhana Nikapa
62. Biribuha
63. Daudibala
64. Churana
65. Sabat Nijog
66. Pania - Pata
67. Mandani
68. Chakaapasara
69. Mulia Suansia
70. Binakara
71. Darpania
71. Kothasuansia
73. Mahabhoi
74. Gita Govinda
75. Bhitara Gaini
76. SanpradaniJog
77. Dayanamali
78. Madei
79. Prasad Badu, Badu Mohapatra
80. Tatua
81. Patara Bandha
82. Vijayanti
83. Chhatara Nijogi
84. Kahalia
85. Sankhua
86. Parbajatra Jogania
87. Chitrakara
88. Rupakara
89. Bania
90. Tamara Bisoyi
91. Karotia
92. Bentabindha Paika
93. Patara Bisoyi
94. Kala Bethia
95. Daraji
96. Kumbhara Bisoyi
97. Rathabhoi
98. Malachula
99. Banua
100. Chakra Dihud
101. Ojha Maharana
102. Ghanta Seva
103. Ghantua
104. Ratha Dahuka
105. Badhei
106. Baidya
107. Amunia Chhatara
108. Chhamu Dihudi
109. Chapa Behera
110. Chapa Dalai
111. Mapa Saita Karana
112. Tadhau Karana
113. Deula Karna
114. Baithi Karan
115. Kotha Karana
116. Charcha Karana
117. Daina Pattra
118. Chaula Bachha Karana
119. Matha and Byaktigita Seva.
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