BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, July 29, 2005: Refresher courses on etiquette are on the anvil for 400 servitors of Orissa’s famous Jagannath temple after stories of their rudeness to devotees even united concerned politicos of different parties. Called Yatri Pandas, these people receive devotees in front of the gate of the temple in Puri, 56 km. from here, and escort them inside for a viewing of the Deities. But, of late, tales of their misbehavior – with some even known to abuse the devotees – have been doing the rounds. And the temple administration has decided to act by sending them for a training session in manners from Aug 4. Priests and scholars will be roped in to conduct the courses to ensure that they behave properly, said a temple official. They had earlier been given similar courses in 2002 and 2003. Over 4,000 people perform different roles in the temple, visited by millions every year, particularly during the rath yatra, or chariot procession.
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