Servitors Urge Odisha Govt To Make Traditional Clothes Mandatory For Devotees Visiting Puri Jagannath Temple

Bhubaneswar: Several servitors of Shree Jagannath temple in Puri have sought steps by the Odisha government to make traditional clothes mandatory for devotees visiting the 12^th century shrine.

Servitors belonging to the Khuntia Nijog of the temple submitted a memorandum in this regard to 5T Secretary VK Pandian during his visit to Puri district, sources said.

They have urged the state government to take necessary steps for making traditional attire mandatory for devotees while visiting Shree Jagannath temple in Puri.

The servitors in their memorandum have also sought strict implementation of ban on the use of mobile phones inside the temple, according to Khuntia Nijog president Hajuri Krushna Chandra Khuntia.

Stating that there were instances when some devotees entered the temple by wearing ‘indecent’ clothes, he said the government should come out with a dress code and make traditional clothes mandatory for devotees to maintain the sanctity of the shrine. The authorities concerned should also launch an awareness drive on the issue.

Alleging that some people are still using mobile phones on the temple premises, the servitors said the temple administration and police should take immediate steps to strictly enforce the ban on use of mobile phone use in the temple.

This apart, the servitors also urged to government to take steps for arranging a designated centre for lactating mothers to feed their babies while visiting the temple.