Monkey snatches devotee’s bag at Puri Jagannath Temple, climbs Singhadwara Dome

A bizarre incident unfolded at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Monday afternoon when a monkey snatched a vanity bag from a woman devotee and climbed atop the Singhadwara gumuta (dome), triggering panic and chaos near the main entrance.

Eyewitnesses said the woman was standing near the Singhadwara when the monkey suddenly grabbed her vanity bag and swiftly scaled the structure above the entrance gate.

Devotees Shocked

The unexpected act left the devotee and her family members shocked, especially as the bag reportedly contained cash and important documents.

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With the monkey perched on the dome and clutching the bag, anxious family members made desperate attempts to retrieve it. In a risky move, a male relative climbed onto the gumuta and tried to drive the monkey away using a stick.

No Injury

After a tense few minutes, the monkey dropped the bag, which was then recovered. Thankfully, no one was injured during the rescue attempt.

However, the incident has raised serious questions about security and safety inside the temple premises. Devotees expressed concern over how a person was able to climb onto a sensitive structure so easily. 

While monkey menace has been a recurring issue in the temple area, the latest episode has once again highlighted the need for stronger preventive measures. The temple administration has not yet issued any official statement on the matter.