Jagannath Temple’s sanctum sanctorum to close for devotees

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of Shree Jagannath Temple to restrict the entry of devotees into the sanctum sanctorum of Puri Srimandir during Paramanik Darshan and Sahan Mela.

The Odisha government has recommended the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to stop entry of devotees into the sanctum sanctorum (Garvagruha) of the temple.

In a letter to the SJTA, the government has opined for restriction on darshan of deities by devotees including VIPs.

In a letter, the Law Department has asked Puri Collector and SP to take necessary steps for implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of Shree Jagannath Temple.

“Darshan of the deities in the Temple by the devotees including the VIPs shall be restricted only up to Bhittar Katha. None except Sevaks having actual Seba in the Garvagruha on any particular day should be allowed into the sanctum sanctorum. Entry into the sanctum sanctorum during Paramanik Darshan and Sahana Mela Darshan should be stopped,” the letter read.

“Violators should be heavily fined,” the letter added.

The Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice BP Das had earlier submitted its interim report to Odisha government and suggested several measures to streamline affairs at the Puri Srimandir on April 20.