Bhubaneswar, Jan. 5 -- The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced stricter arrangements for controlled Darshan by devotees and VIP protocols at the 12th-century shrine in Puri, SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee informed in a presser held on Monday.

A Special Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been prepared for VIP guests visiting the temple under official protocol. The temple administration will have exclusive responsibility for protocol management.

Besides, stricter restrictions will be imposed on the use of mobile phones inside the temple premises. Only personnel involved in essential temple-related work will be allowed to carry mobile phones.

The Chief Administrator also regretted the controversy that ...