Nepal king's puja at Srimandir sans traditional attire draws flak

Puri: The Chhatisa Nijog today expressed displeasure after Nepal King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev offered puja at the Sri Jagannath temple sans traditional attire---the dhoti.

Dev wore a 'Churidar Kurta’ and performed the puja of the deities near the Ratna Singhasan (Golden Throne) drawing flak from the servitors' body.

Janardana Pattajoshi Mohapatra, Chattisa Nijog Nayak said, "The Nepal King should have worn the traditional attire during puja rituals. Wearing any other type of dress is not acceptable."

Gangadhara Mohapatra, Lal Mahuria servitor, said the Chhatisa Nijog had requested the Nepal king to follow the dress code in consultation with Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb.

"However, the Nepal king did not pay any heed to the request," Mohapatra added.

Earlier in the day, the Nepal king entered the Srimandir through the Dakhina Dwara (south gate) after the Puri Gajapati went in and preformed the puja.

Bir Bikram Shah Dev also offered gold jewellery to the deities. Near Lord Balabhadra, the Nepal king presented three 'Salagaram' and gold coins.

The Shri Jagannath Temple Administartion (SJTA) had made special arrangements in view of the visit of the Nepal king.

The temple remained closed on Sunday for devotees from 9 am till 12.30pm for the smooth conduct of rituals by the Nepal king.