Snana Yatra Performed Under 'Third Eye'

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

Jun 10, 2017 — JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA —

Six CCTV cameras were zoomed on a special podium in Jagannath Temple, where the Deities were taken in a procession on Friday for a grand bath on Debasnan Purnima, a key festival before Rath Yatra. It is not that the Deities apprehended threat from any subversive groups. Rather, the threat perception emerged following a tussle between the shrine administration and a group of priests over "access" to the Deities.

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

Even though the temple administration is hell bent not to allow common devotees to touch the Deities on the podium, in consonance with a 2014 Orissa High Court order, some priests had been insisting on relaxation of the rule. "We had installed CCTV cameras in the past as well. But this time, we positioned the cameras in such positions that we could keep vigil on people if they touch the Deities," said temple's Chief Administrator, Pradeep Jena.

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

Those familiar with temple affairs said the priests are upset over the restrictions, as they were minting money by taking devotees close to the Deities and allowing them to touch the idols. "We honour the high court verdict. But we still feel that the devotees should not be barred from going close to the Deities. Debasnan Purnima and Rath Yatra are the only two occasions where devotees get opportunity to go close to the Deities. Devotees love to embrace the Deities. We have no right to play with their religious sentiments," said a priest, requesting anonymity.

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

"We should not be blamed if any devotee touched the Deities. We should realize the emotional sentiments of the devotees and their reverence towards the reigning Deity, who would remain off limits to devotees till June 25 Rath Yatra. The Deities would spend these days in an isolated room in the temple and undergo treatment. Nobody can catch glimpse of the Deities till Rath Yatra," senior priest Premananda Dasmohapatra said.

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

Amidst the tug-of-war between temple administration and priests, the shrine body on Thursday warned of legal action against those who touch the Deities. Throwing restrictions to wind, family members of a number of priests touched the Deities around 10 pm. "We will examine the CCTV footage. If they are found guilty, action will be initiated against them," said a temple official. "We detained three persons on Friday morning for touching the Deities during procession from the sanctum sanctorum to the podium," said another temple official.

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

There was also trouble last year when several priests allowed devotees to touch the

eities on the occasion of Debasnan Purnima. In 2014, the high court asked the state government to implement the recommendation of Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati about a ban on the access of devotees to the Deities on chariots and bathing podium. The issue has since not gone down well with priests.

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]