Miscreant fakes website of Bhakta Nivas in Puri; Srimandir admin seeks action

Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri on Monday urged for legal action following the discovery of a fraudulent website that pretends to offer accommodation bookings for devotees in the 12th Century Vaishnavite shrine’s name.

SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee reached out to the Director General of the Crime Branch, calling for swift intervention, in response to the scam.

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The famous temple’s legitimate booking process is exclusively managed through its official websites: www.shreejagannatha.in and www.stayatpurijagannatha.in . However, it has been revealed that a fake website is diverting funds into a fabricated bank account, deceiving those devotees and tourists seeking to stay near the temple.

In his letter, Padhee emphasised the need for urgent measures to combat such deceptive actions. The correspondence includes details of various FIRs filed in different police stations of Puri, highlighting the recurring nature of these fraudulent incidents.

SJTA's move to involve Crime Branch underscores the seriousness of the issue and the need for a thorough investigation. This incident also highlights the growing concern of cybercrime targeting the religious institutions and devotees as well.

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As a preventive measure, the Jagannath temple administration is likely to enhance its online security protocols and increase public awareness about safe booking practices. Devotees coming to Puri should use only the official websites for booking accommodations.

The temple administration manages several guesthouses in the pilgrimage town, including Neelachal Bhakta Nivas and Neelachal Yatri Nivas, including Purushottam Bhakta Nivas.