Puri, July 9: In a shocking lapse of security, four youths managed to scale the Meghanada Pacheri, the fortified outer wall of the Shree Jagannath Temple and gain unauthorized access to the temple premises, sparking widespread concern over the safety of one of India’s most revered religious sites.
The incident occurred on the day of Niladri Bije, a key ritual marking the conclusion of the annual Rath Yatra festival. Despite the deployment of heavy security in and around the temple from the start of Rath Yatra, the breach has exposed glaring vulnerabilities in the existing security apparatus.
According to reports, the individuals gained access to the temple complex by climbing a garbage heap near the Southern Gate and then scaling the Meghanada Pacheri wall. The motive behind their entry remains unclear, and authorities are currently investigating whether it was an act of mischief, driven by religious zeal, or something more serious..
The breach comes amid earlier intelligence warnings that the temple could be a potential target for terrorist activities. The fact that such a critical security lapse occurred despite prior alerts has raised red flags at both state and central levels.
At the time of the incident, most security personnel were reportedly engaged in crowd management duties near the chariots and within the Grand Road area, which may have left the temple perimeter inadequately guarded.
The Odisha Police and temple administration have launched a probe into the matter. Meanwhile, public outrage is growing, with calls for a comprehensive review and overhaul of the temple's security systems.
