Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, July 10: The Shankaracharya of Puri Govardhan Peeth, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, Friday criticised the state government and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) for interfering in the rituals of the temple. He also demanded an overhaul of temple laws.
The Shankaracharya held the state government responsible for the unnecessary interference of the SJTA. “The temple administration has crossed all its limits and hijacked the rights of the Puri seer. This could not have been possible without the support of the state government,” he said.
The temple administration is responsible for the gross negligence and disturbances in the temple, he said. “Due to the interference of government in the religious affairs of the temple, the disturbances go on increasing day by day in the Jagannath temple and the rituals are also not being followed properly. There is a need to overhaul SJTA laws,” the Puri seer said here.
The SJTA has crossed its limits, gone against the traditions of Govardhan Peeth, the seer said. “The temple administration has become directionless,” he said.
The temple administration and the government should follow the judgments related to the Puri temple given by different High Courts and other courts and the government should also define its boundaries, he said. BJD spokesperson Shashi Bhusan Behera said the state government consulted with the Puri king and seer whenever required. As only a few days are left for the Nabakalebara festival, the seer should extend his support for the smooth conduction of rituals, he said.
