Puri, June 17: A drone was seen flying over Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri amid tight security on Monday.
The footage of which has gone viral on social media, triggering serious concerns over the temple’s security.
The video, shared by a youth identified as Neelkamal Sahu on Instagram, shows a drone hovering over the sacred premises during the ceremonial changing of the flag atop the temple.
The footage, which has amassed widespread attention, clearly displays a Chunara Sevak scaling the temple’s towering structure to hoist the Patitapabana flag on the Nilachakra. In a surprising moment, the servitor is even seen folding his hands in acknowledgement towards the drone, a gesture that has ignited debate over the increasing audacity of such violations.
What has alarmed devotees and officials alike is that the Jagannath Temple and its surroundings are officially designated as a no-fly zone by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the district administration.
The area’s high security protocols are aimed at protecting the sanctity and safety of the centuries-old shrine, one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimage sites.
This is not an isolated incident. Similar drone intrusions have occurred in the past, including a notable breach on May 30, raising pressing questions about the effectiveness of the current surveillance and enforcement mechanisms.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the recent incident. However, local sources confirm that an investigation is likely to be initiated to trace the origin of the drone flight and assess how it bypassed existing security protocols.
As the temple gears up for the annual Rath Yatra festival, which draws lakhs of devotees from around the globe, the incident serves as a reminder of the need for tight security infrastructure to protect the spiritual and cultural heritage of the land.
