Bhubaneswar, Jan. 11 -- The 12th-century Lord Jagannath temple in Puri is facing an annoying problem of rodents and cockroaches which has reportedly threatened the structures of the idols of the sibling deities in the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine.

The increasing number of rats and cockroaches has become a headache for servitors as well as Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

Expressing sheer displeasure over the issue, Puspalaks or Singhari sevaks who dress up the deities with clothes and flowers complain that rats and cockroaches are having a field day around the Ratna Singhasan (bejewelled throne) in the sanctum sanctorum and posing an obstacle to their service.

"When we dress up the deities, we often found a large number...