Expressing deep concern over the devotees touching the deities at the Snan Mandap in Puri on Monday night, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingh Deb on Wednesday reiterated that touching the deities except the authorised servitors is strictly prohibited as per the Hindu scripture and, thus, a Mahapap (great sin).
The Puri King, first servitor of the lord Jagannath, said, “I want to make it very clear that touching the deities is strictly prohibited in the scriptures. Swami Nischalananda Saraswati of the Gobardhan Peeth in November 2013, also recommended this and there is no scope for any question or debate on this issue. But a most surprising and unfortunate incident took place at the Snan Mandapon Monday night where some devotees suddenly crossed the barricades and touched the deities when the deities were about to be taken on Pahandi (ceremonial procession).”
The Gajapati king also said the Temple Managing Committee had immediately agreed to implement the decision taken by the Shankaracharya in November 2013. Besides, the Orissa High Court, in its order in June 2014, had made it clear that the decision of the Shankaracharya would be strictly obeyed by the Government and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
“Acting on the decision of the Shankaracharya and the directive of the High Court, the SJTA in a circular in 2015 had debarred devotees from touching the deities at the Snan Mandap,” he informed.
The Shankaracharya has also expressed his anguish over the development and blamed the administration for the deviation.