The authorities have banned consumption of paan and gutkha and other tobacco products in the Jagannath Temple here.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the governing body of the shrine, in a meeting on Monday, decided to impose the ban on these products with effect from August 1, said SJTA Chief Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra.
“The violation of the rule will attract a penalty of up to Rs 500,” Mohapatra said, adding that this applies for both devotees and servitors.
He also thanked the servitors for their cooperation with the administration for peaceful and smooth conduct of the last Rath Yatra.
Besides, he too thanked Delhi-based businessman and philanthropist KK Sharma for decorating the Jagannath Temple with flowers free of cost during the Rath Yatra this year.
