The Srimandir Security Sub-Committee has officially announced a complete prohibition on mobile phones within the sacred grounds of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. This new rule, enacted on Tuesday, applies to everyone, including devotees, temple servitors, and law enforcement personnel, ensuring a uniform standard for the protection of the ancient shrine.
Girish Chandra Murmu, who leads the temple’s security sub-committee, emphasized that the ban is a measure to safeguard the sanctity and security of the temple, rather than an imposition to inconvenience visitors. He stated, “This is not to inconvenience anyone but to protect the sanctity and security of the shrine.”
To facilitate communication without the use of personal devices, temple servitors will be provided with closed-circuit walkie-talkie devices. Murmu, a former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, explained, “No one, including police and sevayats (servitors), will be allowed to carry mobile phones inside. Instead, servitors will be given closed-circuit walkie-talkie devices for communication.” He further highlighted the temple’s significance, stating, “The Shree Jagannath Temple is not just a place of worship but a symbol of faith for millions. Our responsibility is to ensure its security — quietly, effectively, and without disrupting its sacred rhythm.”
This initiative comes as the security sub-committee, a newly formed body under the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, recommends necessary upgrades. These recommendations stem from identified security lapses, including instances of devotees using mobile phones and spy cameras within the temple complex, and unauthorized filming of rituals.
A comprehensive security strategy is currently being developed to bolster both the physical and digital security of the temple. This plan will encompass risk assessment, expanded surveillance, vulnerability management, and cybersecurity measures. Murmu indicated that these changes can be integrated into existing rules without needing to amend the Shree Jagannath Temple Act of 1955. Consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will also take place to ensure new security protocols do not affect the temple’s heritage structure.
The issue of temple security has been a persistent concern, particularly with reports of drones being flown over the complex. To address this, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has designated the Jagannath Temple area as a “Red Zone,” a no-fly zone until September 25, 2028, prohibiting unmanned aerial vehicle operations. Puri Superintendent of Police, Prateek Singh, noted that this designation provides a stronger legal framework for enforcing security measures, stating, “We now have the legal framework to deal strictly with violations. The Red Zone notification is a crucial step toward tightening airspace security around the shrine.”