Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik to stage sit-in near Puri Srimandir demanding reopening of temple gates

Puri: Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik will stage sit-in before the Paschima Dwara of the Srimandir here from tomorrow demanding reopening of all four gates of the temple, he said.

“During COVID-19 pandemic, three doors of the Shree Jagannath Temple were closed for the devotees. However, they have not been opened. With respect to the emotion of the locals, I request the district administration as a citizen of Puri to open at least one door for the local people. Other doors may be opened after the decision of the concerned committee,” he said.

“If the door is not opened, I will sit in front of the Paschima Dwar to pray Mahaprabhu Jagannath from tomorrow morning,” he added.

Earlier, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had also urged the temple administration to consider reopening of all gates of the temple.

Also read: Dharmendra Pradhan Demands For Opening Of Four Gates Of Puri Srimandir.

The temple administration has kept only one gate (Singhadwar) of the temple open since the outbreak of COVID-19 virus in 2020.

Various sections of people are making hue and cry to open all four gates of Puri Jagannath Temple for devotees to minimize long beeline on Grand Road.

The temple administration has decided to form a subcommittee to consider several proposals including opening of all four gates of the temple.

A sub panel has been constituted comprising sub-collector, senior servitors, SJTA officials, and police officers to look into the matter. The decision will be taken only after the subcommittee submits its suggestions, informed SJTA Chief Administrator Ranjan Kumar Das.