Make traditional clothes mandatory for devotees visiting Jagannath temple: Khuntia servitors to Odisha govt

Bhubaneswar: Khuntia servitors of Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri city have urged the state government to make traditional clothes mandatory for devotees visiting the 12^th century shrine.

Khuntia Nijog of the temple has submitted a memorandum in this regard to 5T Secretary VK Pandian during his Puri district visit recently.

“In our memorandum, we have urged the state government to make traditional attire mandatory for devotees for visiting Jagannath temple. We have also pleaded for strict implementation of ban on the use of mobile phones on the shrine precincts,” said Khuntia Nijog president Hajuri Krushna Chandra Khuntia.

There were instances when some devotees entered the temple by wearing ‘indecent’ clothes. The state government should make traditional clothes mandatory for devotees to preserve the religious and spiritual ambience of the shrine. Besides, the authorities concerned should launch a drive to create awareness among the devotees on the issue, Khuntia added.

The Nijog also alleged that some people are still using mobile phones on the temple premises. “The temple administration and the police should take immediate steps to enforce the ban on mobile phone use at the shrine strictly,” Khuntia said.

Moreover, the Nijog has urged to state government to open a designated centre for lactating mothers to feed their babies while visiting Jagannath temple.