Jagannath temple servitors oppose untimely ISKON Rathyatra

Puri, Dec 15: Temple workers of Jagannath Temple here have accused Puri Gajapati King Dibyasingh Dev of encouraging ISKON devotees to organise Rath Yatra in foreign countries, defying the principles of the temple.

For the first time, Jagannath temple priests came to the streets today, shouting slogans against the Gajapati King, who is considered as the chief ''servitor'' of the temple.

Hundreds of Sri Jagannath temple workers under the banner Jagannath Sevayat Sammillani, led by president Narasingh Pujapanda took out a rally here yesterday, opposing Divyasingh Dev's religious sanction to ISKON to organise untimely Rathyatra.

They alleged that Gajapati had been encouraging the Hindu devotees of foreign countries to enter the Shrine, the abode of Lord Jagannath often creating law and order problems and hurting the religious emotions of the devotees.

The Gajapati king of Puri happens to be the ex-officio chairperson of the temple managing body. This apart, devotees believe him to be the religious representative of Lord Jagannath and revere him as next to the lord.

UNI