Puri: Devotees and residents of this pilgrim town expressed strong resentment over the switching of laser lights, which were installed to focus on the Sri Jagannath Temple, for the last two days.
This apart, several lights were also taken away from the Parikrama corridor plunging the area into darkness.
The devotees who were enjoying the Parikrama corridor by going around it were shocked and described this incident as the change of guards at the government.
According to sources ten laser lights were focused on the main temple column from four corners to illuminate the entire temple at night.
The entire Parikrama corridor was also illuminated to give it a spectacular look. Visitors were enchanted to see the illuminated temple and its corridor. These lights were installed on the day of the inauguration of the Parikrama project.
The sudden taking out of these lights from the temple and Parikrama corridor shocked the devotees as the entire Parikrama corridor plunged into darkness.
Puri district collector Sudhansu Shankar Swain, when contacted by newsmen, refused to reply.
Sri Jagannath temple PRO Jitendra Patnaik, however, said these lights were taken away by the contractor as he did not get payment.
According to sources, the contractor who was asked to install special lights for the inauguration, took away these lights as he had anticipated that he would not receive his payment from the new government.
Local media personnel and residents have informed Odisha Governor Raghubar Das during his Puri visit in this regard requesting him to intervene in the matter.
UNI
