Bhubaneswar, July 29: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) sparked a wave of controversy after sharing exclusive, inside photographs of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri on social media.
The images, which revealed Srimandir’s Ratna Bhandar, Bhogmandap, Satapahacha, and Ghantidwara, were posted on ASI’s official ‘X’ handle on Monday.
While the photos were taken before recent repair works on the Ratna Bhandar began, their public release has triggered a storm of debates on privacy, preservation, and religious sanctity, raising questions about ASI’s adherence to temple protocol and sanctity.
According to the temple's rules, mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside to maintain security. Many people have been fined in the past for breaking this rule.
After receiving backlash, the ASI deleted the pictures around 11 PM on Monday. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has not yet commented on the issue.
