Puri, Nov 14: The Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Ranjan Das, announced a complete ban on pan and gutkha within the premises of Odisha's Puri-based Shree Jagannath Temple, effective from January 1st, 2024.

The SJTA has formally communicated this decision to the Chhatisha Nijog, highlighting the prevailing provision for penalizing the consumption of pan and gutkha on the temple grounds, which unfortunately hasn't been adhered to by visitors.

To ensure compliance, an awareness campaign will be conducted to educate individuals about refraining from consuming pan and gutkha within the temple precincts before the prohibition becomes effective on January 1st. Penalties will be levied on those who violate this rule.

This measure was prompted by the discovery of discarded gutkha packets and pan residue on the temple premises. The temple administration has earnestly appealed to its employees, temple servitors, and devotees to abstain from consuming pan and gutkha while inside the sacred temple grounds.

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