BHUBANESWAR/PURI : A decision on imposing restriction on the entry of devotees into the sanctum sanctorum of Jagannath temple at Puri will be taken after discussion with the temple managing committee. Sources said a proposal in this regard was made by the Law department to Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) based on the recommendation of Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of the temple.
A Law department letter to SJTA said ‘darshan’ of the deities in the temple by the devotees, including VIPs, should be restricted only up to Bhittar Katha (a wooden separation). None except Sevaks (priests) performing actual Seva (ritual) on any particular day should be allowed into the sanctum sanctorum, it added. The letter stated that entry into the sanctum sanctorum during Paramanik Darshan and Sahana Mela Darshan (public prayer) should be stopped. The Commission of Inquiry, headed by Justice B P Das, had earlier submitted its interim report to the State Government and suggested several measures to streamline the affairs of the temple.
Servitors upset
Servitors of Shri Jagannath temple were peeved over a letter sent by the District Magistrate, asking the temple administration to implement the Justice B P Das Commission recommendations.
Sources said the letter was drafted by the State Law department in April based on the third report of the B P Das panel. The District Magistrate had sent the letter to the temple authorities, police, power supply officials, civic body and other departments concerned on November 7, sources added.
According to the sources, the State had asked the temple authorities to prohibit visitors’ entry to Garbha Gruha, issue bio-metric identification cards to servitors, temple security guards and police personnel on duty.“The letter has instructions for operating all hearths from one single kitchen to prepare all kinds of cooked Prasad. It has also asked the authorities to adopt adequate fire-fighting measures on the temple premises. This apart, the power supply department has been asked to provide uninterrupted power and deploy noiseless power generators in the temple complex,” sources added.
“ The Government has also asked the temple authorities to streamline the supply of potable water and ensure that visitors are allowed to enter the temple through the main gate __ Lions Gate __ round the year. It also asked the authorities to let the food officials examine the Mahaprasad,” sources said.
Meanwhile, the instructions had irked servitors. They alleged that the Government was trying to interfere in their traditional rights.
Tourists detained for clicking selfie
Bhubaneswar: A couple of days after Odisha police detained four Russian nationals for flying a drone, equipped with a camera, over Jagannath temple, the cops on Saturday whisked away two Uttar Pradesh natives while they were caught taking selfies inside the temple. “We found two persons clicking pictures using their mobile phones near Jagannath temple. The duo was immediately detained and questioned,” Jagannath temple security officer Kaushik Nayak said. The duo was released after interrogation.
DGP reviews law and order
In a bid to review the law and order situation, DGP RP Sharma visited Puri on Saturday. The DGP said the situation has improved a lot in the region as the local police organised several programmes under the“Ama Police” initiative. “Crime control measures are being effectively worked out through intensive night patrolling and quick response squads to apprehend the culprits,” he said.