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The Puri Jagannath Temple Administration has announced a complete ban on the consumption of paan and gutka on the premises of the 12th-century shrine.
An order issued by the temple administration said it was the moral responsibility of all to maintain the temple’s holiness.
“From today onwards, no one will consume paan or gutka inside the temple premises and its properties. It should not be considered my order, but should be acknowledged as the order of the Lords,” said Ranjan Kumar Das, chief administrator of Jagannath Temple. The order officially goes into effect from January 1, 2024.
The order will be applicable to servitors, devotees, police officers and temple employees. The premises mentioned in the order include temple offices and guest houses managed by the temple administration.
Even though the temple administration had issued an advisory against the consumption of tobacco-related products inside the temple premises earlier, the order allows for it to be enforced strictly.
“It has been observed that empty gutka packets are lying on temple premises while there are also stains of paan, which is against the sanctity of the temple. We will strictly enforce a ban on the consumption of paan and gutka this time. There will be penal provision for violators,” another temple official said.
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The temple administration also issued an advisory against bringing flowers or food from outside in polythene carry bags into temple premises.
Earlier this year, the temple administration had requested devotees to wear “decent attire” while visiting the temple, and had announced that those wearing ripped jeans, shorts and sleeveless outfits would not be allowed inside temple premises.
The temple officials are now creating awareness on the dress code outside the main entrance, and the rule will be strictly enforced from January 1, next year.
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