Before taking a final decision on the sensitive issue of whether to allow non-Hindus to climb chariots of lord Jagannath, lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra and touch the deities during their nine-day Car Festival at Puri, Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Gobardhan Pitha of Puri Swami Nischalananda Saraswati held a discussion on the issue with 30 religious scholars and pundits here at two-day conference.
The scholars and researchers of Jagannath culture coming from across the country presented their views before the Shankaracharya. Earlier, the Shankaracharya had informed that he would give his final decision on the issue before September 15 this year.
Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb and Mukti Mandap Pundit Sabha executive president Purnachandra Mohapatra also attended the discussion.