A video allegedly recorded inside the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri has gone viral on social media, once again raising concerns over the enforcement of the temple’s ban on mobile phones.
According to reports, a devotee is believed to have carried a mobile phone into the temple premises and recorded a video from the Pata Agana area before uploading it to Instagram. The incident has sparked criticism, as carrying and using mobile phones inside the temple is strictly prohibited.
The viral video has renewed questions about how mobile phones continue to find their way into the shrine despite repeated restrictions imposed by the temple administration.
Devotees have demanded strict action against those responsible for violating the temple rules. At the same time, concerns have also been raised over the role of temple staff and security personnel, with calls for stronger measures to prevent the unauthorized entry of mobile phones into the temple premises.
This is not the first time visuals from inside the 12th-century shrine have surfaced online. In the past, photographs and videos from areas such as the Baishi Pahacha (22 steps), Ananda Bazaar, Mahalaxmi Temple, and other restricted sections of the temple have circulated on social media, leading to complaints and police cases.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has previously issued strict guidelines prohibiting devotees from carrying mobile phones inside the temple. Despite these measures, repeated incidents of unauthorized photography and videography have highlighted concerns over the effectiveness of the existing security arrangements.
The latest incident has once again hurt the sentiments of many devotees, who have urged the temple administration to strengthen security protocols and ensure strict enforcement of the ban on mobile phones inside the sacred shrine.