A video purportedly recorded from inside the restricted premises of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri has gone viral on social media, triggering fresh concerns over security measures and enforcement of the temple’s ban on mobile phones.
The viral footage reportedly captures the ritual of changing the sacred flag atop the Nilachakra and the Patitapaban Bana, a ritual that draws significant religious importance for devotees. The video was shared through an Instagram account identified as ‘krutika_karpe2017’.
According to sources, the footage appears to have been recorded from within the temple’s inner enclosure (Mandira Bedha), an area where photography and videography are strictly prohibited.
Questions Raised Over Security Lapses
The incident has raised questions about how a mobile phone was allegedly brought into the restricted temple premises and how the video was recorded despite existing security protocols.
Authorities have consistently prohibited visitors from carrying mobile phones and other electronic gadgets inside the Jagannath Temple to safeguard the sanctity of the shrine and maintain security.
Not the First Such Incident
This is not the first time visuals from inside the temple complex have surfaced online.
In recent weeks, multiple photographs and videos allegedly taken from restricted areas of the temple have gone viral on social media. Several visitors have also been seen creating social media reels near the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate), while drone footage showing aerial views of the temple has also circulated online.
These incidents have continued despite repeated advisories and warnings issued by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and local authorities against photography, videography, and unauthorised drone operations around the shrine.
Authorities Urged to Strengthen Enforcement
The recurring appearance of unauthorised visuals has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of security measures at one of India’s most revered pilgrimage sites. Devotees and observers have urged authorities to investigate the latest incident and take appropriate steps to prevent similar breaches in the future.
