In Brief
The Supreme Court examined a public interest petition regarding difficulties faced by visitors to Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, including harassment by temple staff (Sevaks), commercialization of rituals, and poor hygiene. The Court held that proper management of major pilgrimage centres is a matter of public interest given their religious, historical and architectural significance. The Court relied on prior precedent upholding provisions requiring offerings to be collected in designated boxes rather than directly by staff. The Court issued interim directions requiring investigation into visitor difficulties, review of CCTV systems, prevention of direct collection of offerings by Sevaks, and study of management practices at other major shrines nationwide. The matter was listed for further consideration.
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