SJTA imposes ban on carrying mobile phones into Jagannath temple from Jan 1

Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri decided today, in its meeting held here, to ban mobile phones from being carried into Jagannath temple premises with effect from January 1, 2023. Flouters of the fresh rules will face stringent punishment, a SJTA official source informed.

Previously, a similar restriction was clamped on devotees and visitors alone. However, the fresh norm will apply to one and all including policemen, servitors and employees of the Vaishnavite shrine.

Persons entering the 12th-Century shrine shall have to leave their mobile phones outside the temple premises. Special arrangements will be made for the safe custody of mobile phones at Singhadwar and Dakshina Dwar, SJTA Chief Administrator Vir Vikram Yadav said while briefing mediapersons.

The managing committee meeting was chaired by Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb and Puri district Collector Samarth Verma, SP Kanwar Vishal Singh and all members of the committee took part in it.