There are some attendants of the deities who have been employed on a hereditary basis. These are known as Daita-pati, and are considered to be descendants of Vidyapati, who discovered Nila Madhava (the original form of Jagannatha), and his wife who was the daughter of Viswavasu, a tribal chief. They enjoy some exclusive privilege and access during the annual chariot festival, the Rath Yatra, and Nabakalebara, the ceremony during which the old idols are replaced with new ones.

Besides these, there are a large number of priests or Sevakas who perform various rituals in the Jagannath temple. A 13th century ruler of Odisha, king Anangabhima of the Ganga dynasty, organized the temple attendants into 36 categories or the Chhatisa Nijoga. Even though the categories have increased over the years, yet the nomenclature of Chhatisa Nijoga is still in use. The king of Puri is the first Sevaka of the Lord, followed by the Rajaguru. Then there is the Pattajoshi Mahapatra, who is the head of the Sevakas of all thirty-six Nijogas. ... More

There are some attendants of the deities who have been employed on a hereditary basis. These are known as Daita-pati, and are considered to be descendants of Vidyapati, who discovered Nila Madhava (the original form of Jagannatha), and his wife who was the daughter of Viswavasu, a tribal chief. They enjoy some exclusive privilege and access during the annual chariot festival, the Rath Yatra, and Nabakalebara, the ceremony during which the old idols are replaced with new ones.

Besides these, there are a large number of priests or Sevakas who perform various rituals in the Jagannath temple. A 13th century ruler of Odisha, king Anangabhima of the Ganga dynasty, organized the temple attendants into 36 categories or the Chhatisa Nijoga. Even though the categories have increased over the years, yet the nomenclature of Chhatisa Nijoga is still in use. The king of Puri is the first Sevaka of the Lord, followed by the Rajaguru. Then there is the Pattajoshi Mahapatra, who is the head of the Sevakas of all thirty-six Nijogas. He ensures that the Sevakas perform their duties properly and regularly. The Bhitaracha Mahapatra sees to the sanctity of the Bhoga being offered to the deities and also to the cleanliness of the temple premises. The Talucha Mahapatra sees to the cleanliness of the kitchen. The Mudiratha officiates in the absence of the king. The temple Purohit is responsible for the chanting of the Vedic Mantras and the performing of the Japa. The Pujapandas perform the rituals during the worship, the Puspalakas dress up the deities, smear sandal-wood paste etc. while the Khuntias guard the sacred body of the deities. The Mekapas are in charge of the different store articles. The Pratiharis are the guards of the temple, the Suars cook the food offerings, and the Karanas keep the accounts. In earlier times used to be the Devadasis, or young girls and women who sang and danced before the deities. The system of Devadasis has now been abolished.