BHUBANESWAR, July 30, 2013: The issue of allowing devotees atop chariots during RathYatra is likely to be resolved by September 15. PuriSankaracharya SwamiNischalanandaSaraswati on Monday told mediapersons that he would soon put an end to the controversy after consulting Jagannath Temple officials and servitors. "I have asked the temple administration and servitors' bodies to meet me at the earliest to settle the issue by September 15," the Puri seer said.

Though the temple administration recently wanted to ban pilgrims from climbing the chariots and entering the sanctum sanctorum, it had to retract its steps following stiff opposition from servitors. The temple administration then referred both the issues to Sankaracharya.

Though the existing temple norms clearly prohibit entry of non-Hindus into the Jagannath Temple, it is silent on whether they should be allowed onto the chariots. While an American was shoved off a chariot last year, two priests allegedly assaulted Ileana Citaristi this Rath Yatra.

To streamline daily rituals, the temple administration had earlier banned entry of devotees into the sanctum sanctorum in March 2012. But it had led to a ruckus when hundreds of priests and devotees forced their way into the innermost shrine in June that year, defying the restriction.

The ban was imposed in compliance with the recommendations by Justice P K Mohanty Commission that was set up to probe the November 4, 2006, stampede inside the temple. The commission then found that the stampede occurred due to presence of large number of pilgrims in sanctum sanctorum. Four persons were killed and many others injured in the mishap.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 30, 2013.