Puri, Nov 28: Social media influencer Shubhankar Mishra has come under fire for making controversial remarks about the Sri Jagannath Temple. In a recent podcast, Mishra claimed that if an unmarried couple visits the temple, their relationship will fail and they will never be able to marry.

Mishra, who has previously worked as a news anchor on major television channels, faced widespread criticism for his comments, which many considered misleading and disrespectful. Devotees, Jagannath lovers, and scholars have expressed strong disapproval over his portrayal of the sacred site.

According to Mishra, the temple is under a curse from Maa Radharani. He claimed that when Maa Radharani tried to see Lord Krishna in the form of Jagannath, temple servants allegedly stopped her. He also suggested that the entry of the Lord’s spouse into the temple is restricted, questioning how anyone could enter the sanctum.

These statements have provoked anger among devotees in Puri, who consider Mishra’s interpretation inaccurate and offensive. Pandit Suryanarayan Rath Sharma, a scholar of Jagannath culture, said that spreading false information about the temple is unacceptable and disrespectful to centuries of tradition.

The controversy highlights the sensitivity around religious narratives and the responsibility of public figures in discussing sacred institutions.