CUTTACK:The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Thursday submitted before the Orissa High Court that no decision was taken to allow family members of servitors, associated with the temple rituals, to have Nabajouban Darshan of the newly carved idols of the deities on Friday. Only the servitors, who are required for rituals associated with Nabajouban Darshan, will be allowed, it stated.
Considering the submission, the division bench comprising Justice I Mohanty and Justice DP Chowdhury directed the temple administration to ensure strict implementation of the decision and also instructed the authorities to install CCTV cameras at the entry and exit points. The footage of the cameras should be submitted to court later, the bench directed.
The observations came in response to a PIL filed by one Abhisek Das challenging the SJTA decision of not allowing the public to have the Darshan this year. The court had earlier issued a notice directing the SJTA to file reply. In its response, the temple administration had submitted that the decision was taken apprehending a huge rush of visitors and devotees to the temple for the Nabakalebara Rath Yatra.
However, the petitioner had again moved the court after reports stated that the SJTA had decided to allow entry to the family members of the servitors for the Darshan.