World famous Puri Jagannath temples management has come up with a new rule of banning tobacco on the shrine premises from August 1. Taking the temple’s cleanliness into account the administration has espoused such decision. On deviation, Rs 500 will be fined up.
To warn about the prohibition, statutory boards will be displayed by the temple administration at each entry points of the temple and different places. Also, guards deployed at the gates will be asked to check devotees and temple staffs for the banned substance.
Commenting on the new rule, SJTA’s chief administrator Pradipta Mohapatra said, “Our objective is to improve the sanitation in the temple. The ban order is applied on servitors, devotees, police and temple employees. Police personnel should properly frisk visitors at the four gates of the temple and seize such materials. The ban will come into force from August 1.”
So from today onwards any devotee or temple staffer found chewing tobacco, betel leaves or gutkha will be barred from entering the premises and a fine of Rs 500 will be imposed on them.
Located on the eastern coast of India, Shree Jagannath Temple of Puri, Odisha, is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of lord Maha Vishnu. Being counted among the four important religious dhams (destinations) of the country, it is considered as a major pilgrimage spot since a long time.
This 12th centenary monument is erected on a gigantic raised platform, which measures more than 4,20,000 sq.ft and is seated in the heart of the city. The temple complex is well protected by a wall about seven meters high and it has got four different entry gates, facing the four directions.
