TV
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang’s recent visit to the Jagannath Temple in Puri has stirred controversy after he reportedly shared a photograph taken from inside the temple premises on his official Facebook page.
According to sources, Tamang visited the shrine on Friday to offer prayers to Lord Jagannath. During his visit, photographs clicked inside the ‘Bhitara Behada’ were allegedly uploaded on his Facebook account. The photos are believed to have been taken near the Maa Mangala temple in the temple premises.
The post, captioned with Tamang’s note that he felt “blessed to visit the sacred Jagannath Temple, which radiates peace, devotion and spiritual energy,” quickly drew criticism from several quarters, as photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple.
Following public outcry, the photos were deleted from the social media platform. However, the incident has sparked debate, with many questioning how photography was permitted within the temple’s restricted zone.
Sources said the Sikkim CM visited the 12th-century shrine on Friday morning, accompanied by the Puri Collector, SP, and officials of the temple administration. Questions are now being raised over how mobile phones were carried inside the temple and photographs taken in the presence of senior officials.
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It is also being asked whether the Sikkim CM and his team were briefed about the protocols of the Srimandir.
Meanwhile, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has not issued any official reaction on the matter.
