Advisory for NRIs: Beware of monkeys, thieves at Puri Jagannath Temple

BHUBANESWAR: Authorities have issued an advisory for NRI delegates attending the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) here next month, cautioning them about monkeys and pickpockets during their visit to Puri Jagannath Temple.
Ministry of external affairs and Odisha govt are jointly organising the 18th edition of the PBD convention at Janata Maidan here from Jan 8 to 10.
"Since the PBD participants will visit several tourist destinations during their stay, we have released an advisory containing dos and don'ts for them, specifically concerning their visits to several shrines. The advisory outlines precautionary measures, including warnings about pickpockets and monkeys at the Jagannath Temple," a senior tourism department official told TOI.

The 12th century shrine houses more than 1,000 monkeys that previously troubled devotees. Govt efforts to relocate them in 2011 and 2012 had proved unsuccessful.
A previous proposal to use langurs to deter monkeys from the shrine is yet to be implemented. A temple official said, "We will facilitate the visit of NRIs to the temple and other destinations. They will not face any inconvenience."
According to the tourism department, PBD attendees have been advised to follow a set of guidelines at Puri temple as well as other shrines like the Lingaraj Temple and the Konark Sun Temple.
The advisory clearly specifies restrictions such as the entry prohibition for non-Hindus in prominent temples, including the Jagannath Temple, and a complete ban on electronic devices like mobile phones and cameras on the shrine premises.
"We have advised them to respect the rules and tradition of shrines. They should follow the queue system at the Jagannath Temple. They should not consume non-vegetarian food and liquor while visiting the temple," the officer said.
NRIs are likely to visit at least 28 tourist destinations in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack. The tourism department has blocked 3,700 hotel rooms and some homestay facilities to enable visitors book their stay. Odisha police have been asked to step up security at the tourist destinations that are expected to receive the guests.