File picture of devotees trying to climb a chariot during last year’s rath yatra in Puri

Bhubaneswar, June 11: The Odisha government today conceded to the demands of servitors not to put a blanket ban on allowing devotees to climb chariots during the annual rath yatra in Puri.

Unlike in the past, devotees will not be allowed to climb the chariots during day hours on the occasions of rath yatra and bahuda yatra (return journey). On the day of suna besha (when the Trinity is decked in gold), devotees can climb the chariots only after the attire is removed. However, on other days, the devotees can climb onto the chariots during day hours also.

The decision was reached after a three-hour long discussion with servitors here at the state secretariat. Both the servitors and state government officials have agreed that no compromises will be made on the security of cars.

Odisha law minister Arun Sahu said: “The issue of devotees climbing chariots and touching the deities are sensitive and need wider consultations with all stakeholders. The government cannot thrust its point of view on the servitors. The government wants to take everyone into account to ensure that the rath yatra passes off peacefully.”

Senior servitor and chief of the Jagannath chariot Jagannath Swain Das Mohapatra told The Telegraph: “The tradition will continue. The practice of devotees climbing chariots will go on after sunset. However, servitors will give all sorts of co-operation to ensure the security and safety of the chariots.”

The controversy regarding not allowing devotees to climb the chariots was sparked off following allegations of Italy-born Odissi dancer Ileana Citaristi that she was manhandled by a servitor.

Citaristi lodged an FIR at the police station on July 21 last year alleging that a servitor had manhandled her atop Nandighosh, which is Lord Jagannath’s mount. Citaristi alleged that she was was hit her thrice on the head when she refused to pay dakshina (donation) as demanded by him. But later the issue was amicably settled.

The Puri Temple administration had sought the opinion of the Shankaracharya of Puri Swami Nischalananda Saraswati on the issue.

He had recommended to the Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, which is headed by Puri king Gajapati Divyasingha Deb, to ban devotees from climbing the chariots and touching the deities.

“Climbing chariots and touching the deities is against the Hindu religion. It is a mahapap (sin),” the Shankaracharya had said.

However, servitors are opposed to the Shankarachaya’s decision.

“This is an age-old practice and has been continuing over the years. The devotees should not be barred from climbing the chariots,” said Ramkrushna Das Mohapatra, another senior servitor.