Bhubaneswar: After Puri Srimandir, Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar has come out with a set of new rules and restrictions for visitors and others from the new year day. The restrictions came into force from the first day of 2024 on Monday.
The Lingaraj Temple Trust Board has now banned the use of paan, gutkha and tobacco products inside the Shiva shrine in the state capital as part of efforts to maintain discipline and hygiene in the complex, sources said.
As per the decisions made at a meeting of the Trust Board, the devotees found chewing pan and tobacco will be barred from entering the shrine.
The use of polythene and plastics has also been banned at the temple. Devotees are not allowed to carry flowers, prasad and other puja materials in polythene packets.
This apart, the Kotha Bhoga of Lord Lingaraj will be prepared in pure ghee manufactured by OMFED, sources said.
The servitors have been communicated through a letter following the order of Khurda Collector K Sudarshan Chakravarthy, who is the President of Shree Lingaraj Temple Trust Board.
Moreover, the temple trust board has decided to issue identity cards to all servitors within 15 days to maintain discipline in conduct of rituals of deity at the temple.