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Time of India
29-07-2025
- Time of India
Cops catch resident using spy camera in Puri temple
Bhubaneswar: Puri police on Tuesday launched an investigation after a local was found capturing footage of deities inside the Jagannath Temple, using a spy camera. Use of mobile phones and cameras on the premises of the 12th century shrine is strictly prohibited. Some police personnel first spotted Abhijit Kar using his mobile phone during early morning 'Mangala Alati' ritual. Upon verification, they found footage of the shrine's interior on his phone. Following this, Kar was taken to Singhadwar police station for interrogation, where he admitted to recording footage through a spy camera concealed within the frame of his spectacles. Police removed the recorded content from his mobile phone and released him after securing a written undertaking. Temple servitors criticised the police's lenient approach. "On March 15, police authorities arrested a West Bengal tourist for photographing the deities with a spy camera. However, no action was taken in this case. These incidents occur frequently. We require stringent legislation to address the issue," said servitor Shyama Mahapatra, adding, "The latest incident reflects poor security checking at the temple entrance as the suspect's mobile phone could not be detected by cops. " The Bengal tourist had faced charges under BNS for deliberately committing acts that hurt religious sentiments. He was also booked under Section 30 A (4) (C) of Shree Jagannath Temple Act, which bars cameras in the temple. The Temple Act stipulates up to two months of imprisonment and a Rs 1,000 penalty for violations.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Servitors hint at non-cooperation during Rath Yatra
Bhubaneswar: Servitors of Jagannath Temple, Puri, hinted at non-cooperation ahead of Rath Yatra scheduled for June 27, citing concerns over delayed formation of the temple's managing committee (MC), which is responsible for temple-related policy decisions. The previous 18-member managing committee's three-year tenure ended on Sept 3, 2024. Senior servitor Ramachandra Dasmohapatra expressed concern that Rath Yatra preparations are being hindered without the MC, whose authorisation is essential for finalising ritual schedules. "On Wednesday, the Chhatisa Nijog (confederation of associations of servitors) finalised the schedules of Rath Yatra rituals. As per the Jagannath Temple Act 1954, the MC is the appropriate authority to approve the Rath Yatra guidelines. We will not follow any guidelines that are not approved by the MC," Dasmohapatra told media persons. He criticised the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) for its failure to convince the govt regarding the delayed MC formation. "The SJTA is not making any efforts to convince the law department about the sensitive matter. The govt too is silent for the last eight months," said Dasmohapatra. Senior servitor Binayak Dasmohapatra cautioned about possible significant disruptions in rituals and coordination during Rath Yatra without the managing committee. He noted this unprecedented situation in the temple's administrative history, where the MC has remained unformed for eight months. "We all want smooth conduct of Rath Yatra. SJTA officials are not taking servitors into confidence and want to conduct Rath Yatra without forming the MC. This attitude may trigger non-cooperation between servitors and administration, affecting Rath Yatra rituals," said Dasmohapatra. SJTA indicated that the MC formation proposal awaits govt approval. "We are waiting for the govt's instruction. In Chhatisa Nijog, we sought cooperation of servitors," SJTA's chief administrator Arabinda Padhee told media persons after the meeting on Wednesday evening. The temple authorities clarified that while the chief administrator is currently using extraordinary powers under the Temple Act for daily management decisions, these decisions will receive retrospective approval once the MC is established.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jagannath Temple in Odisha's Puri without governing body for 8 months
The Jagannath Temple in Puri has been without its managing committee for eight months, impacting key decisions on the 2025-26 budget BHUBANESWAR: The Jagannath Temple in Puri has been functioning without its governing body for the last eight months, impacting the shrine's administration. The principal decision-making body, an 18-member managing committee (MC) tasked with policy decisions, completed its three-year term on Sept 3, 2024. After implementing the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954, the Odisha govt assigned the temple's daily administration to the statutory MC to ensure proper preservation and enhanced management of the temple. According to the Act, the MC must approve all decisions, from rituals to financial matters, before implementation by the govt in this 12th century shrine. Despite a senior IAS officer (chief administrator) and other govt officials overseeing the temple's daily administrative operations, the MC's absence has led to several pending crucial decisions regarding the shrine. About 10 key proposals remain unresolved, with significant ones, including the 2025-26 budget, new darshan system, and repositioning of the temple Hundi. "The temple currently operates on an interim budget, as the 2025-26 budget awaits approval due to the committee's absence," a senior temple official said. The proposed queue darshan system's implementation faces delays pending MC approval. The new system includes a six-lane ramp within wooden collapsible barricades at Natamandap, opposite the sanctum sanctorum, designed to facilitate organised darshan. It provides separate paths for men, women, and senior citizens, with plans to include differently-abled devotees. "With the Rath Yatra approaching on June 27, the MC's absence could create additional challenges. Traditionally, the MC finalises the rituals, arrangements, and guidelines for Rath Yatra annually," the official said. The shrine authorities said that while the chief administrator is currently exercising his extraordinary power under the Temple Act and handling daily management decisions, these must require subsequent post facto approval once the MC is established. "If the MC formation doesn't take place before Rath Yatra, the chief administrator will have to make decisions and obtain post facto approval later. However, he cannot take decisions involving major proposals and controversial matters," he said. Collector (Puri) and temple's deputy chief administrator Siddharth Shankar Swain said, "Due official process already started for formation of the managing committee. It is the govt's discretion to finalise the members of the committee." Recently, law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan told journalists: "The govt is aware of the matter and will soon constitute the temple managing committee."
