Puri, Odisha: In a bold decision that has shocked devotees and servitors alike, the Srimandir Security Sub-Committee has announced a total ban on mobile phones inside the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The new rule will apply to everyone – devotees, priests, and even police officials. Confirming the ban, Girish Chandra Murmu, who heads the temple’s security sub-committee, said the step was taken to protect the sanctity and security of the shrine.
“This is not to trouble anyone. It is only to keep the temple safe and pure,” Murmu said. “The Jagannath Temple is a symbol of faith for millions. We have to protect it, both from inside and outside.”
No Phones, Only Walkie-Talkies
To ensure smooth communication, servitors will now get walkie-talkie devices instead of mobile phones. The committee made this choice after repeated cases of devotees sneaking phones and even hidden cameras into the sanctum. Officials said such incidents have risked the privacy of rituals and threatened temple security.
New Security Plan Underway
A detailed security blueprint is being drawn up. It will include stronger checks, advanced surveillance, risk control, and even cybersecurity protection for temple records. Authorities also plan to work with the Archaeological Survey of India to ensure new security steps don’t harm the temple’s heritage walls and structure.
Temple Declared No-Fly Zone
Security worries at the shrine are not new. Drones flying over the temple complex had already raised alarms. Recently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation marked the Jagannath Temple as a “Red Zone” or no-fly zone until September 2028. This will allow strict legal action against anyone breaking the airspace ban.
Puri SP Prateek Singh welcomed the move, saying, “Now we can act tough on violators. The Red Zone tag is a strong shield for temple security.”
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