Odisha Bans Liquor Shops Near Srimandir to Preserve Temple Sanctity
In a decisive move to uphold the spiritual sanctity of Puri’s iconic Jagannath Temple, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has announced a ban on liquor shops within a 1-kilometre radius of Srimandir, including the revered Bada Danda stretch.
The minister emphasised that this is more than a regulatory measure—it’s a cultural commitment to protect the sacred atmosphere surrounding one of India’s most important pilgrimage sites.
Additionally, the sale of non-vegetarian food will be prohibited on all lanes and bylanes leading to Bada Danda, reinforcing the religious ethos of the area.
Strict enforcement will follow once the policy is officially implemented, with local authorities tasked with ensuring full compliance.
The decision has received widespread support from devotees and residents, many of whom have long advocated for such measures to maintain the temple’s spiritual purity.
