Tension gripped the holy town of Puri on Wednesday morning after a youth attempted to forcibly enter the Jagannath Temple before the Singhadwara was opened for devotees.
According to sources, the unidentified youth arrived on a bike, carrying a stick, and parked near Radha Ballabha Mutt before trying to rush into the temple premises through ‘Chori Kabat’.
On-duty police personnel and members of the Jagannath Temple Police (JTP) immediately intervened, stopped him, and prevented any breach of security.
Eyewitnesses said that the youth was wearing slippers, which is considered a violation of the temple’s traditions. When security forces tried to remove him from the area, he reportedly engaged in a heated argument with the officials.
He was subsequently detained and taken to the Singhadwara Police Station for questioning. Police have begun efforts to establish his identity and are also examining his mental health to understand the motive behind the attempted trespass.
Attempts to obtain comments from the City DSP and JTP commandant remained unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
This incident comes amid heightened security measures around the 12th-century shrine, where entry protocols and traditions are strictly enforced.
