TV
On the second Monday of the holy Sawan month, devotees throng temples across Odisha to offer water to Lord Shiva. However, devotees alleged massive mismanagement at the Lokanatha Temple in Puri.
They accused the temple priests of charging money to allow them to offer water to the Lord inside the temple. On being unable to pay the money, they were allegedly forced to perform the same ritual but outside the temple.
“They are charging Rs 30 for a yellow ticket, Rs 100 for a white colour ticket, and then Rs 50 as the priest's compulsory charges. Those not paying Rs 50 to the priest are not allowed to offer water to the Lord inside the temple,” alleged a devotee.
“The priests are doing this. We have also accepted it as we come here once a year. But we think the Odisha government should take a stern decision regarding this so that such activities can be avoided,” he added.
'Police Are Also Asking For Money'
Another devotee, who was allegedly not allowed to offer water inside the temple, said, “I reached here yesterday and stood in the queue at around 9 pm. There had been no security. This morning, I managed to reach inside the temple at around 8:30 am, but the police there demanded Rs 100 from me as the priest's charges to offer water.”
He continued, “I had no money, so I couldn't offer water to the Lord inside the temple. Those paying Rs 50 to the priests, a backdoor puja is being conducted for them. There's no need to stand in the queue if you pay them. There's no security arrangement at all.”
No comments could be obtained from the temple administration or the concerned authorities over the allegations.
