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Puri, June 21: Puri seer Nischalanand Saraswati Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over devotees touching the presiding deities of Srimandir during the Snana Purnima ritual Monday.
The Pontiff asked the Shree Jagannath temple administration (SJTA) to prevent devotees from touching the deities.
The temple administration had earlier announced that no devotees would be allowed to touch the idols on the bathing altar during the Snana Purnima ritual. Srimandir managing committee and Chhatisha Niyog, the apex body of Jagannath temple, had also ratified the SJTA decision.
However, several people including police personnel on duty and officials touched the deities on the bathing alter while flouting the temple administration’s order.
“I had suggested to the temple administration to prevent pilgrims from defiling the Trinity on the Ratna Mandap, chariots and bathing altar. It is the duty of the SJTA to respect my suggestions,” Saraswati said.
Daita Niyog, the apex body of Daita servitors, however, downplayed the incident. “The Snana Purnima ritual of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra was conducted without a hitch. Of course, a few devotees touched the deities during the conclusion of bathing ritual,” said Daita Niyog assistant secretary Binayak Das Mahapatra.
Daita Niyog president Ramkrushna Das Mahapatra also refuted the allegations of indiscipline during the bathing ritual. “Servitors performed the ritual in a disciplined manner. Some devotees were lucky enough to touch the idols,” he said.
