Post News Network
Puri, July 17: The decision of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to prevent devotees from having Nabajouban darshan of the Srimandir deities this year has evoked mixed reactions. While some devotees accused the SJTA of depriving them of their age-old rights, some others welcomed the ban following an order of the Orissa High Court.
“I was unaware of the ban on the entry of devotees inside the Srimandir this time. I learnt about it after reaching the city and was deeply saddened by the decision of the temple administration. However, I will have the darshan of the deities during the Rath Yatra and am eagerly waiting for the divine moment,” said Manjulata Moharana of Balasore.
Sumati Sahu of Baripada said, “I was eagerly waiting to have the glimpse of the new the new idols and the decision of the temple administration has hurt me deeply. But the temple administration may have taken the decision keeping in mind the safety of the devotees. We should not create any controversy over the issue.”
“We should welcome the decision of the temple administration. I personally support the ban. The decision obviously saddened some devotees, but the temple administration must have taken the significant decision apprehending untoward incident amid a huge rush during the Nabajouban Darshan,” said Pramod Pandia of Sonepur.