Latest news with #PuriJagannath
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Online sale of Puri temple's ‘Mahaprasad' rejected
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has rejected the proposal made by some organisations for sale of Puri Jagannath temple's 'Mahaprasad' on online platform, State Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said. Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Harichandan said some organisations recently requested the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to deliver 'Mahaprasad' and 'dry prasad' of the Puri temple to devotees through online platforms. 'Though it was a good idea to provide the 'prasad' to devotees worldwide, the government and SJTA rejected the proposal to preserve the sanctity of the holy offering,' he said. 'We have doubts about whether the sanctity of 'Mahaprasad' can be maintained if it is transported and delivered in this manner,' he said. Harichandan said the government does not support or promote any such initiative. 'Neither do we have any such proposal, nor will we promote anyone to sell Mahaprasad online,' he asserted. The Law Minister appealed to devotees to visit Puri Jagannath temple to have 'Mahaprasad.' He said a revised rate chart for the 'Mahaprasad' will be implemented soon. The minister's statement comes in the wake of media reports alleging unauthorised online sale of the 'Mahaprasad' of Lord Jagannath.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Odisha govt rejects proposal for online sale of Puri Jagannath temple's 'Mahaprasad'
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has rejected the proposal made by some organisations for sale of Puri Jagannath temple's 'Mahaprasad' on online platform, state Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said here. Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Harichandan said some organisations recently requested the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to deliver 'Mahaprasad' and 'dry prasad' of the Puri temple to devotees through online platforms. "Though it was a good idea to provide the prasad to devotees worldwide, the government and SJTA rejected the proposal to preserve the sanctity of the holy offering," he said. "We have doubts about whether the sanctity of 'Mahaprasad' can be maintained if it is transported and delivered in this manner," he said. Harichandan said that the government does not support or promote any such initiative. "Neither do we have any such proposal, nor will we promote anyone to sell Mahaprasad online," he asserted. The law minister appealed to devotees to visit Puri Jagannath temple to have Mahaprasad. He said that a revised rate chart for the Mahaprasad will be implemented soon. The minister's statement comes in the wake of media reports alleging unauthorised online sale of the Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
4 men climb into Puri temple by scaling outer wall
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Days after Puri Jagannath temple was brought under an unprecedented security cover following Indo-Pak tensions, a serious security breach came to the fore on Tuesday evening when four unidentified men gained unauthorised access into the shrine by scaling the outer perimeter wall (Meghanada Prachira), by climbing on a large pile of garbage that had accumulated near the wall. According to police, the identities and intentions of the trespassers are still unclear. Footage that emerged on Wednesday showed these men scaling the shrine's outer compound wall. The temple has four entrances that are guarded by armed police. This breach occurred during the Niladri Bije festival, despite substantial police presence, raising concerns about security vigilance. "Through CCTV footage we are trying to identify who they are and what they did inside the temple, though they appeared to be regular devotees," said collector (Puri) Chanchal Rana. "We admit the lapses and apologise for it. Serious efforts are being made to prevent recurrence of such incidents. We urge devotees to refrain from such adventures, jeopardising the security protocols of the temple," Rana told reporters. He explained that traffic restrictions during the Rath Yatra, which concluded on Tuesday, prevented the removal of accumulated waste near the temple. SP (Puri) Pinak Mishra said investigation was in progress to identify the trespassers. "We are examining the CCTV footage to identify them," said Mishra. A case was registered at Singhadwar police station following a complaint lodged by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). SJTA's chief administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee indicated that a committee, including administrator (development), officer on special duty (security) and a senior supervisor has been formed to probe the matter. Temple servitors and security experts called for a thorough security review at the shrine, where preventive measures had been recently strengthened due to Indo-Pakistan tensions. Armed personnel were deployed at the shrine, which is considered a potential high-risk target in the country. The National Security Guard (NSG) conducted a detailed security assessment at the Jagannath Temple last month, focusing on counter-terrorism readiness. The govt accelerated the formation of the new Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakshya Vahini (SSMSV), a dedicated force, at the temple. Additionally, Odisha police established an anti-terrorist squad (ATS) near the temple, featuring urban warfare-trained commandos from their special tactical group. They also positioned Rakshak, an armoured vehicle with bullet-proof capabilities, outside the temple. "Despite these massive security arrangements, police personnel's lack of vigilance enabled four men to enter the shrine unauthorised," said retired DGP, Bipin Bihari Mishra. Biswanath Khuntia, a servitor said, "The number of the trespassers could be more. Even though they seemed like regular devotees, such an act exposed the vigilance of police, whose number was in hundreds during Rath Yatra."
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Puri Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar repair work complete, inventory after govt nod: official
Puri, The Archaeological Survey of India has completed the repair work of the Puri Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar or treasury, and inventory-related work will begin after approval of the state government, an official said. Puri Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar repair work complete, inventory after govt nod: official The announcement was made by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration's Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee and ASI's Superintending Archaeologist DB Garnayak at a press conference on Monday. ASI is the custodian of the 12th-century shrine in the seaside town. "By the infinite grace of the Lord, the conservation and renovation work of the Ratna Bhandar, both outer and inner, has been completed today," Padhee said. The outer chamber is regularly used to store and retrieve ornaments for rituals and festivals. The most valuable ornaments made of gold and diamond are kept in the inner chamber, which has not been opened for 46 years due to concerns about its structural integrity. Last year, the inner chamber was reopened for the repair of the structure and an inventory of the valuables in it. "The conservation work was carried out by the ASI for about 333 hours over a period of 95 days. As many as 80 people worked to conserve the Lord's treasury," said Padhee, an IAS officer. He said the works related to the inventory will begin only after the state government gives its permission. The Jagannath temple in Puri functions under the Law Department of the state government. Jewellery and other precious items stored in iron chests and almirahs had been shifted to temporary strong rooms inside the temple in two phases in July last year when the Ratna Bhandar was reopened after four decades. The valuables will be taken inside the Ratna Bhandar soon since the repair is now complete, Padhee said. The last inventory was done in 1978. According to that inventory, the temple has 128 kg of gold and over 200 kg of silver, temple sources said, adding that some of the ornaments have gold coatings and those could not be weighed at that time. Padhee said the repair and conservation works were carried out as per the state government's prescribed guidelines. "By the grace of the lord, the repair work was completed before Niladri Bije of deities on July 8," he said. 'Niladri Bije' refers to the return of the sibling deities - Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath - to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, marking the conclusion of the Rath Yatra festival. Though the Ratna Bhandar was reopened in July last year, the repair and conservation work began in December after a thorough survey. ASI's Garnayak said a total of 520 damaged stone blocks and a corbel arch were changed in the inner and outer chambers of the Ratna Bhandar. "These are the major stone blocks from the exterior and interior side walls of both chambers of Ratna Bhandar, which had deteriorated over the years. Now, granite stones have been fitted on the floor," he said. "This apart, 15 damaged beams in the structure have been replaced with stainless steel beams, both big and small. The renovation works have been done entirely in the traditional dry masonry method," he added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
NDTV
06-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Use Of 'Dham' In Bengal Jagannath Temple's Name Triggers Mamata-BJP Clash
Kolkata: Servitors of the Puri Jagannath temple are protesting the use of 'dham in the name of a newly-inaugurated Jagannath temple in West Bengal's Digha, apart from replicating rituals. Servitors' groups like the Suar Mahasuar Nijog (which prepares the bhog) and the Puspalaka Nijog (which dresses the deities) have asked their members not to participate in rituals at the temple in Digha. Daitapati Bhabani, part of the group of servitors considered bodyguards of Lord Jagannath, told NDTV, "If we talk about Dham, there are four dhams - Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameshwaram and Puri Jagannath. There is no other dham apart from this. What is there in Digha is a Jagannath temple. We want Mahaprabhu Jagannath to reside across the world in every home and promoting his name is our responsibility. But the use of dham is not right." Puri is also the seat of the Govardhana Matha, one of the four cardinal mathas created by Adi Shankaracharya. The 'pran pratishtha' or consecration ceremony of the temple in Digha was held on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya on April 30 and it was attended by a senior servitor or daitapati of the Puri temple Ramakrishna Das Mohapatra. The new temple at Digha has been built at a cost of Rs 250 crore. Reacting to the controversy, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she respects both the temples. "I have heard that the Daitapati has been questioned for coming to conduct the puja here. They have issued a notification asking them not to come to Jagannath Dham (in West Bengal). Why are they so irked? We all go to Puri. We never question. When I go to Puri, the BJP protests. Why so much jealousy over the Jagannath Dham? When you fall short of potatoes, Bengal supplies. I love Odisha." The BJP, which has been targeting the Trinamool Congress on the issue, said the state government was forced to remove the misleading 'Dham' signage in Digha, calling it a "significant victory for Hindu unity". "After strong protests from devotees of Lord Jagannath, the West Bengal government was forced to quietly remove the misleading 'Dham' signage in Digha. This is a significant victory for Hindu unity and a setback to Mamata Banerjee's divisive agenda. When Hindus stand united, no political manipulation can succeed. Jai Jagannath!" BJP's IT Cell Chief and West Bengal Co-in Charge Amit Malviya said. The West Bengal Police said the BJP's claim is blatantly false. In a post on X, the police said, "Rumours are being spread from certain corners that under pressure from various groups, Government of West Bengal has removed different signage's of Shri Digha Jagannath Dham." "We would request devotees to not get misled by false propaganda by people of vested interests. Strict legal action will be taken against rumour mongers and fake news peddlers," the police added.
