Only authorised servitors to be allowed on Snana Mandap: Puri SP

Puri: With the Rath Yatra related fiasco last year, including that of Snana Purnima issue, still fresh in the minds of devotees and administration, the second Rath Yatra Coordination Committee meeting on Tuesday here decided on allowing only authorised servitors on the mandap during Snan Yatra of the deities.

The meeting chaired by revenue divisional commissioner (RDC-central range) A B Ota also decided that the High Court order, allowing authorised servitors/daitapatis atop the chariots of the deities, will be strictly followed this year.

“The list of these authorised servitors will be issued by the Temple Administration and the police department will follow it,” Puri SP Sarthak Sarangi said.

The meeting was conducted in the absence of servitors of Chhatisha Niyog who have been protesting the suspension of some servitors over last year’s Niladri Bije fiasco. Officials of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration and Police Administration attended the meeting.