**Bhubaneswar:** Expressing deep concerns over the utter defiance exhibited by a large number of devotees on the Snana Mandap of Puri Jagannath Temple by impudently touching the deities after the holy bathing rituals performed on the Snana Purnima day recently, Puri Gajapati Dibya Singh Dev condemned such sheer audacity at a press meet on Wednesday here.
Reminding devotees of the ‘2015 total ban’ verdict on the delicate issue of ‘touching of the deities’ on Snana Mandap as has been proclaimed much earlier by the Gobardhan Peeth Shankaracharya and proclamation issued by the temple management, Gajapati reiterated that the same sanctity of darshan of the deities while on the pious podium of the sacred sanctum sanctorum ought to be adhered to by one and all as enshrined in the Puri temple records of rights (RoR).
“The pious idols must not be treated as mere mundane dolls”, rued Gajapati.
He elucidated that God should be perceived by a devotee, not touched.
Gajapati recited that the Novemeber 2013 verdict of Shankaracharya on the matter prohibiting devotees from touching the deities during Pahandi, on the Raths (cars) or any other occasions has also been duly endorsed by the Orissa High Court in its June 2014 ruling. Both the state and district administrations have been directed for the smooth conduct of the rituals and adherence of the religious prohibition, he added.
Gajapati also recited that Shankaracharya is the ultimate custodian of Sanatana Dharma and his decree must be obeyed at any cost as he has taken the decision in accordance with our age-old holy scriptures and after deliberations with the Mukti Mandap pandits.