File picture of devotees climbing onto a chariot to touch the idol on board in Puri

Bhubaneswar, June 19: The Puri temple administration and servitors are at loggerheads over allowing devotees to climb on to the chariots and touch the idols of Lord Jagannath and his siblings during the upcoming rath yatra.

The temple administration is determined not to allow them to do so, while on the other hand, servitors have threatened non-cooperation with the temple administration during the nine-day rath yatra, which will begin from July 10.

Jagannath temple officials said the rush of devotees to climb up on the chariots to touch the idols creates a chaotic situation, which is hard to deal with. In the past, the temple administration had tried to keep the chariots free of crowds, but hadn’t been successful.

In 2008, a stampede-like situation had taken place during the rath yatra that led to the death of six pilgrims. In 2011, a scuffle ensued between a servitor and police officials creating an awkward situation for the entire administration.

Chief administrator of the temple Arvind Padhee said: “We want to see to it that the rath yatra passes off peacefully. The overcrowded chariots cause a serious problem. To avoid it, we have urged the servitors not to allow people to climb atop the chariots. Many people climb the chariots dressed up as servitors creating problems for others.”

Padhee said the temple administration had taken into account the views of scholars before deciding not to allow anyone to touch the idols. “The decision was taken by the temple management committee. We are open to discussion. If anyone has a problem, it can be sorted out,” he said.

On the other hand, chief servitor Jagannath Swain Das Mohapatra said: “We had a meeting today. All of us have agreed that we will not co-operate with the temple administration if it does not change its mind and allow people to touch the idols during the rath yatra.”

Das Mohapatra said that once the Lord comes out of the temple, anyone, irrespective of caste and creed, could touch him. “We will not allow the temple administration to interfere with tradition that has continued for years. Since Lord Jagananth comes out to meet his devotees no one should come between him and them.”