Foreign national stopped from entering Puri’s Jagannath Temple
By Nalini Sahu
Bhubaneswar, Nov. 12: A foreign woman, believed to be of Chinese or Japanese origin, reportedly attempted to enter the Jagannath Temple in Puri, also known as Srimandir, in violation of established temple guidelines. Her identity has not been confirmed, and no official complaint has been filed with the police regarding the incident.
Sources state that the woman reached the temple’s main entrance, the Gumuta, before being noticed by on-duty police officers. She was subsequently escorted from the temple premises, later alleging she had been manhandled during the removal.
Although her exact nationality remains unknown, her appearance suggested she may be of East Asian descent, and she was estimated to be in her late 60s or 70s. Witnesses also noted that she conversed in English.
After escorting her from the premises, police officers advised her against attempting to reenter and left her outside the temple barricade.
In accordance with long-standing tradition, only practicing Hindus are permitted inside the 12th-century shrine, where they can offer prayers to the deities. This restriction on non-Hindus and foreigners has been observed for centuries and remains strictly enforced.
