Jagannath Temple Ponders Entrance Policy

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HinduThought, "Ashok Chowgule" <ashokvc@c...>

wrote:

 

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Namaste.

Ashok Chowgule

 

 

Jagannath Temple Ponders Entrance Policy

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?

ID=IEQ20051125024551&Page=Q&Title=ORISSA&Topic=0

 

BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, November 25, 2005: Will January 2006 bring cheer

to

the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains of foreign origin by opening the

doors

of Shri Jagannath Temple along with several other Hindu places of

worship, which have so far been out of bounds for them? Well, it just

might. For, all those who have a say in the matter are set to

assemble

at Muktimandap of Shri Jagannath Temple and take a decision on the

centuries-old tradition. As a heated debate rages whether to or not

to

allow Hindus, Buddhists and Jains of foreign origin into the Hindu

temples, most particularly the 12th Century Shri Jagannath Temple,

Puri

Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati is expected to convene a

meeting

with the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Sevayats (servitors), temple

administration and the Government representatives to discuss the

issue

by December-end. Sources close to Shankaracharya, who is on a

religious

trip outside the State, said, he is aware of the development and is

keen

to sort it out in consultation with the stake-holders.

 

"He will return to Puri by the last week of December and would

initiate

the discussions immediately,'' sources said emphatically. The move of

the Shankaracharya assumes significance as he heads Muktimandap,

which

is the apex decision-making body of the temple and whose verdict is

also

accepted by other Hindu temples and places of worship. Even Hindu

organizations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad have called for relaxation

of

the tradition and allowing Hindus, Buddhists and Jains of non-Indian

origin to enter the Jagannath Temple.

 

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