No one seeks my advice despite SC order: Puri Shankaracharya

Shankaracharya of the Puri Gobardhan Peeth, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati expressed his disappointment over the way he is being 'sidelined' by the Odisha government, Srimandir managing committee, and the servitors. 

Speaking at a religious programme in Surat, Gujarat on Wednesday, the Puri seer expressed his anguish and lamented, "Nobody cares for my advice. The administration, Srimandir management committee, and the servitors all maintain a distance from me. There is a Supreme Court directive to seek my suggestions and advice in the matters of temple administration and religion, but nobody deems it necessary.”

The seer also added, “I only go to the chariots and the Srimandir during the Rath Yatra. Except for this, I have no link. They hardly care for me."
   

As for the opening of all four gates of Srimandir, the seer observed that there is a rule for opening the Dakshina Dwar (south gate of the Srimandir). However, the gate may only open for him, not everyone, the Shankaracharya said.
 
Dwelling on Sanatan Dharma, the Puri Shankaracharya said that those speaking against the Santan religion and vilifying it will become victims of their own words.

No comments have been received from the concerned authorities and the servitors.