Orissa HC debars devotees from entering Puri temple's sanctum sanctorum

The Orissa High Court has asked the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and district authorities to ensure that no devotee is allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine.

"Darshan of the deities in the temple by the devotees, including VIPs, shall be allowed only up to Bhitar Katha," the court said in its order.

It said the prayer hall of the Jagannath Temple at Puri be thrown open to the devotees by April 16.

Only 'sevaks' should be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum according to the rituals, it said.

The order debars all devotees and some servitors from going up to the 'Ratna Singhasan' of the deities.

At present, on two special occasions each day Sahanamela and Parimanik Darshan -- the devotees are allowed to go up to the 'Ratna Singhasan' to have darshan of the deities from close proximity.

The prayer hall (Jagamohan) has not been accessible to the devotees for over two years.