Puri, Oct.16 (UNI) Sri Jagannath temple Chief Administrator Dr.Krishan Kumar today discussed with hoteliers, lawyers and academicians seeking their view on opening of the temple for devotees through virtual conference.

The Jagannath Temple has been closed for the devotees since March 20 last to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Madhab Mahapatra and Ramchandra Dasmahapatra, both managing committee members, opined not to open the temple for devotees now as the Covid situation was grim and over 500 servitors have already been infected with the Covid virus.

Over a dozen servitors have died of the virus attack,they said adding that it would be difficult to maintain social distance norms and servitors would be victims.

If the temple opens for devotees in the holy month of Kartik hundreds of devotees would come to Puri to observe Kartik brat besides to witness Nagarjun Vesha of Trinity which falls after a gap of 23 years.

Rajat Kumar Pratihary, a senior servitor, and others opposed the proposal to install CCTV in the Garbhagriha to facilitate devotees to have darshan of deities from outside the temple.

They said many secret services were performed daily in the Garbhagriha like Banaklaagi, pooja, offering of bhog and other services which outsiders should not witness, they said.

It would be considered encroachment into the privacy of the deities, they argued.

The chief administrator would place his report before the temple managing committee and Chhatisha nijog for a detailed discussion.

The resolution of the temple body would be sent to the state government for approval.

This entire exercise by the chief administrator was conducted after the state chief secretary asked the chief administrator and collector to get the opinion of servitor bodies and all stakeholders over opening of the temple for devotees.

UNI XC-DP KK