JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA, October 18, 2008: The protracted debate regarding who can and cannot enter the world-famous Jagannath Temple has hit a roadblock.
The temple is off limits to non-Hindus; but there is also contention about which “categories” of Hindus may worship there. On two occasions, police claim (after verifying identity cards), Hindu pilgrims from Indonesia have been driven from the temple by priests. Three months ago, the temple administration formally started to address the issue, and it has been decided that Puri Sankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati will lead the way to bring an end to the controversy.
“His decision will be accepted by everyone. But the process has been postponed for certain period,” said Rabindranath Pratihari, a senior priest and member of Sri Jagannath Temple’s managing committee. He did not say whether the delay was caused by the communal riots in Kandhmal.