After Shilpa Shetty, Sushmita Sen’s photo inside Bhubaneswar Lingaraj Temple sparks outrage

A recent photograph of Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen, taken inside Bhubaneswar’s revered Shree Lingaraj Temple, has sparked widespread controversy, reigniting concerns over selective enforcement of the temple’s strict no-phone and no-photography policy. 

The photo, reportedly taken by a temple servitor during Sen’s visit, was later shared on social media—prompting criticism from devotees and heritage activists alike.

Zero Tolerance On Mobile Phones & Cameras

The temple, a protected 11th-century monument, has long maintained a zero-tolerance stance on the use of mobile phones and cameras within its premises. 

Temple Executive Officer and Additional District Magistrate Rudra Prasad Mohanty acknowledged the seriousness of the breach, stating that the matter will be discussed with the Lingaraj Temple Trust Board. 

Senior servitor Biranchi Narayan Pati called the incident ‘unfortunate’ and stressed the urgent need to tighten monitoring mechanisms to uphold the sanctity of temple rules.

Similar Cases in the Past:

This isn’t an isolated case. In October 2024, actress Shilpa Shetty faced backlash for recording her visit to the same temple, leading to a show-cause notice against a temple official. 

These repeated incidents have triggered accusations of preferential treatment for celebrities and VIPs, raising questions about the accountability of temple staff and administrators.

Expressing outrage, devotees highlighted that such selective enforcement undermines the temple’s sanctity and disrespects the sentiments of everyday devotees who comply with the rules. 

Many are now calling for the uniform application of regulations, irrespective of status, to preserve the dignity and spiritual sanctity of the historic shrine.