“The priest (Niyogi System comprises of several categories, who observes the rites in the temple. Two types of Brhamin priests and some Roul Sevaks, who work for daily rituals. Among them the Yagnic Brahmins who performs rites like Homa, Jajna, Chandi Patha, all types of vedic rituals. The “Panda” Brahmins, pujaks of the deity are known as “Puja Panda” have all the rights to perform all kinds of rituals. Mainly they do daily rituals like Puja, Arati, and prepares food(Prasad) for the deity. In some important rituals the vedic priests assist them. The “Roul” sevaks of the deity takes responsibility of bathing(marjana), decoration (Vesa) and arrangement of all types of worshipping materials(Puja Upakarana) in the place. Astrologers read out (panjika) the daily movement of the planets and stars before the deity everyday morning. They also strike cymbals (Ghanta Nada) at the time of Puja and arati and provide some cooking material. Flower provider popularly known as Mali provides flower, bel leaf, tulsi bade at the time of Marjana and Vesa. They also cut vegitables for the preparation of Bhoga(Prasad) and assist in cooking.

During the early Bhaumakar rule 736 A.D the eight armed Mahinsamardini Durga appeared in the sculptural masterpieces of Orissa. Some eight armed Mahinsamardini idol (Bigraha) seen in some other part of Orissa in the eighth century had resemblance with Goddess Sarala. As per the eminent archaeologists and scholars the period of origin of the Goddess Sarala in Jhankad was during 8th. Century A.D.As archeological study of the art and architecture of different temples of Orissa, it is quite evident that, the ancient rulers of Orissa (the then Kalinga or Udra) were quite magnanimous and tolerant towards all religious sects. This period witnessed growth of Shakta Tantrik cult in Orissa. Tantrik Shakti worshiping dominated Bhubaneswar, the then epicenter of Saivism. The devotees of Shiva known as Kapalikas were mostly worshiping the Tantrik Goddesses in and around Bhubaneswar. It is evident from a no. of Shakti shrines like Vaital, Mohini, Uttareswari and Dwarabasini around Vindu Sarovar (now known as Vindusagar) near Lingaraj Temple. The Shakti worshipers of Bhaumakar period conceived of worshipping a group of seven mother Goddess (Saptamatruka) accompanied by Ganesh and Virabhadra.