Puri seer convenes meeting on Jagannath Temple ahead of amicus

Press Trust of India  |  Puri (Odisha) 

of Govardhan Peeth, Puri, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, has convened a meeting of all stake holders to discuss the problems plaguing the Sri Temple here for the past few years, the seer's said Wednesday.

The has invited Gajapati Maharaja of Dibyasingh Deb, who is considered the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, Naveen Patnaik, Orissa High Court Kalpesh Satyendra Jhaveri, and officials of district administration to the meeting, said.

Temple Managing Committee officials and senior servitors of the temple would also be a part of the meeting, Rath told reporters.

He said the is of the view that lack of proper coordination among the state administration, temple management committee and servitors has led to a "chaotic situation" in the 12th century shrine.

Rath said the meeting will discuss issues such as "gross irregularities" committed in the 'Brahma Parivartan' ritual during the Nabakalebara festival in 2015, opening of the temple's treasury - the Ratna Bhandar - in 2018 amid protests, disappearance of the Ratna Bhandar keys, violence in Puri during a bandh protesting introduction of queue system for devotees visiting the temple.

The Shankaracharya's meeting is being organised ahead of Amicus Curiae Ranjit Kumar's visit to Puri for two days starting February 22.

During the visit, the will hold discussion with the Sree Temple Administration officials, the Gajapati Maharaja, and the servitors on implementation of the reform proposals suggested by the

He will later submit a report in this regard to the apex court.

The on January 9 appointed Kumar as amicus curiae to assist it in a matter related to administration of in Puri.

Kumar's appointment to assist the apex court followed a petition filed highlighting the difficulties faced by the devotees at the temple and their alleged harassment or exploitation by the 'sevaks' of the temple.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Wed, February 13 2019. 19:41 IST