Youth Scales Jagannath Temple, Sparks Security Row
Puri: A dramatic security breach unfolded at the Jagannath Temple late Monday night when a 29‑year‑old youth from Chhattisgarh, Madhab Gopinath Nayak, climbed onto the Anla Bedha of the shrine.
The incident, which occurred around 9 pm, alarmed devotees and raised fresh concerns about temple security.
Police and servitors managed to bring the youth down safely.
He was detained and later admitted to Puri District Hospital, where doctors confirmed his mental health condition was unstable.
His family also submitted medical records corroborating his psychiatric issues.
Puri SP Prateek Singh stated that while temple security remains strict, the youth’s mental imbalance led to the breach.
He had previously attempted to climb the temple but was stopped by police.
Devotees, however, expressed outrage, calling the incident a sign of weak security.
They urged authorities to modernise surveillance and take strict action against negligent personnel.
This marks the third such incident in a year.
In 2025, men from Bhadrak and Uttar Pradesh similarly scaled the temple structure, sparking widespread debate over safety measures.
