After Focus Light Row, Exhibition At Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre Closed In Odisha’s Puri

Puri: Even as the beautification and focus lights were restored near Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri following a row over their sudden removal, a new controversy has now rocked to pilgrim town of in Odisha.

Discontinuation of the exhibition at the parking lot of Jagannath Ballav Pilgrim Centre in Puri has triggered resentment among devotees, servitors and visitors to the pilgrim town. Local residents are also up in arms against the sudden move to put a halt to the exhibition in a mysterious manner.

Sources said the exhibition, which was underway since January 17 this year, has been discontinued. The whole purpose of the centre was to highlight, promote and propagate the Jagannath culture.

The exact reason behind the discontinuation of the exhibition is not known. Even temple officials and servitors are not in a position to explain as to why it has been shut.

While different beshas (attire or decoration) of Lord Jagannath are now missing from the exhibition centre, electricity supply has reportedly been snapped, putting the centre into darkness.

Special attires of Lord Jagannath were on display in the exhibition organised at JBPC, coinciding the grand opening of the Shree Jagannath Heritage Corridor.

The incident, which came after the defeat of BJD in recent elections, has raised serious concern among devotees and temple servitors.

Senior officials of the temple and Puri district administration were not immediately available to comment on the development.

The development comes close on the heels of removal of focus and beautification lights outside Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. The lights were restored and reinstalled on Saturday as the state government swung into action following widespread resentment over the incident.