Access Of Differently-Abled Devotees To Puri Jagannath Temple: Orissa High Court Seeks Response From Temple Administration

The Orissa High Court has sought response from the administration of Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri regarding steps taken for providing access to differently-abled devotees, especially wheel-chair bound persons, to have darshan of the deity.The petitioner Advocate Mrinalini Padhi filed the writ petition seeking implementation of the assurance given by the temple authority before the Supreme Court to provide access to differently-abled devotees into the Jagannath Temple, as mentioned in the order of the Apex Court dated 04.11.2019.While passing detailed guidelines for proper and efficient administration of the temple, the top Court had, inter alia, recorded the following assurance given by the temple authority –“34. With respect to hassle-free darshan to the devotees, the Temple Administration has initiated steps for providing facility of Parikrama around the Shrine with covered roof, safe drinking water facility at suitable points, sitting arrangements for old, age and differently-abled persons.”An affidavit was filed before the Apex Court by the Temple Management Committee, wherein a resolution was reproduced which was passed by it to streamline the smooth administration of the shrine. Out of other steps, the Committee had then stated to have identified a land to construct toilet blocks for male, female and differently-abled persons at one of the locations near the West Gate of the temple.It had further mentioned that for hassle-free darshan of the Lord of the Universe by differently-abled persons, special arrangements were being made. It was stated that facilities were made whereby the differently-abled persons will enter the temple through the North Gate and will have darshan of the deity from 'Bahara Katha' (inside Nata Mandap near Jay Bijay Dwar). The authority had even assured a ramp for convenient movement of wheel-chair bound devotees.The petitioner questioned the steps taken by the temple administration pursuant to such resolution and assurance given before the highest Court. After hearing the plea of the petitioner, the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Arindam Sinha and Justice Mruganka Sekhar Sahoo has issued notice to the Chief Administrator, Shri Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri calling for a response indicating the steps taken pursuant to such resolution submitted before the Supreme Court.The matter has now been listed on February 12, 2025.Case Title: Mrinalini Padhi v. State of Odisha & Ors.Case No: WP(C) No. 28422 of 2024Date of Order: January 22, 2025Counsel for the Petitioner: Mrs. Mrinalini Padhi, Advocate in personCounsel for the Respondents: Mr. Debasis Tripathy, Addl. Govt. AdvocateClick Here To Read/Download Order

Access Of Differently-Abled Devotees To Puri Jagannath Temple: Orissa High Court Seeks Response From Temple Administration

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