Odisha: Four Penalised For Possession Of Paan, Gutkha Inside Puri Jagannath Temple

Puri: The Jagannath Temple Administration in Puri today imposed a penalty of Rs 100 each on four people for possession of paan and gutkha inside the shrine. The temple administration has imposed a complete ban on paan and gutkha on the premises of the temple from today.

“The violators included people employed in the Ananda Bazar and Brahmins seating on the Baisi Pahacha,” said a temple administration official.  

Temple administration officials also said that they have erected signage inside and outside the temple to sensitise people. We also made announcements as a part of the awareness campaign,” added the official.

The ban order is applied on servitors, devotees, police and temple employees. Police personnel have also been asked to properly frisk visitors at the four gates of the temple and seize such materials.

Earlier the temple administration in 2006 had planned to impose Rs 100 on anyone, who would spit inside the temple. But the proposal was subsequently put on hold due to unknown reasons.

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