Missing gold crown of Goddess Lakshmi not with us: Srimandir Admin

Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration on Saturday said it does not have the gold crown of Goddess Maha Lakshmi, that was reported missing earlier on Thursday.

“The gold crown of Goddess has not been handed over to the temple administration. The safety and security of the gold crown lies in the hands of the servitors on duty at the Lakshmi temple," SJTA chief administrator Pradeep Jena said.

"Goddess Lakshmi temple is the only such temple whose properties and management control is yet to come under the jurisdiction of temple administration,” Jena said, adding that the temple administration has decided to make a completely new gold crown for the Goddess while replacing the old one which was made up of silver with gold plating.

“After a detailed discussion we will take necessary steps in this regard,” he said.

Earlier on Thursday, devotees expressed discontent after finding the gold crown of Goddess Maha Lakshmi missing during the ‘Sringar’ of the deity on the auspicious Thursday of Margasira.

A tug-of-war has also ensued among servitors and the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) over the issue.

The servitors claimed that a portion of the crown was broken during the Nabakalebar festival and was reused after some repairs. However, as some defects were again detected, the crown was removed.

Meanwhile with the temple administration declining having the crown, the issue has sparked apprehensions on the whereabouts of the Goddess' accessory.