Puri, July 31: Even after the completion of the annual Rath Yatra and the ceremonial return of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra to the sanctum of the Shree Jagannath Temple, devotees are being prevented from touching the three chariots stationed outside the Singhadwara (Lion's Gate).

Although the dismantling of the chariots has already begun, the three raths remain barricaded, denying ordinary devotees the opportunity to offer prayers by touching them. Many devotees, who regard the chariots as sacred after carrying the deities during the festival, have expressed disappointment over the restrictions.

Several devotees were seen requesting police personnel deployed at the barricades to allow them to briefly touch the chariots as an act of devotion. However, security personnel reportedly directed them to move on, leaving many to offer prayers from a distance before departing.

Amid the restrictions, some devotees were seen lifting their children over the barricades and handing them to individuals standing on the chariots so they could touch the sacred structures. According to devotees at the site, some families allegedly paid small amounts of money to facilitate the opportunity.

Allegations have also surfaced that individuals engaged in dismantling the chariots were providing small pieces of the chariot cloth to devotees in exchange for money. Several devotees were seen carrying pieces of the cloth, believing them to be sacred souvenirs.

Reacting to the situation, Shiva Pradhan, a devotee from Bhadrak, questioned the rationale behind the restrictions. While acknowledging that touching the deities is prohibited for devotees, he said there was no reason to prevent worshippers from touching the chariots, which they consider sacred after bearing the deities during the Rath Yatra.

He appealed to the temple administration to allow devotees to offer their respects by touching the chariots after the conclusion of the festival, saying that if such an opportunity was not available during the Rath Yatra, it should at least be permitted once the rituals have concluded.