Puri: Pictures and videos of the non-servitors atop chariots of Lord Jagannath and His siblings during Rath Yatra have gone viral on various social media platforms, raising questions on security arrangements during the recently-concluded festival in Odisha’s Puri town.
Sources said that these non-servitors were seen moving freely atop the chariots, standing very close to the deities and posing for pictures while touching and embracing the deities. The guidelines issued by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration clearly bars mobile phone and non-servitors atop the chariots. The devotees are also forbidden from touching the deities on their chariots during the mega festival.
The servitors, however, have dismissed this incident as trivial. “Some of the associates of the servitors are allowed to climb atop the chariots during Rath Yatra. They help Daitapatis and other servitors in different ways. Even during COVID, they were allowed to climb the chariots. There is nothing to worry about the matter,” said senior servitor Binayak Das Mohapatra.
Also Read: Dress Code For Devotees Visiting Puri Jagannath Temple In Odisha!
Some even tried to justify the use of mobile phones, saying that it has become impossible to function without it.
Another sevayat, however, told a local channel that such violations should be dealt with strictly. “Unfortunately, they climbed the chariots dressed as servitors. They need to be arrested to send across a message,” he said.
Devotees said that it is important to the stick to the rules.
Notably, senior Daitapati servitor Ramkrushna Das Mahapatra had earlier expressed displeasure over the presence of a few non-servitors on Nandighosa, Taladhwaja and Darpadalan chariots during Rath Yatra.
