Puri, October 14, 2025: In a significant move aimed at strengthening the security and sanctity of the Shree Jagannath Temple, the Srimandir Security Sub-Committee announced a total ban on mobile phones within the temple premises. The decision, made on Tuesday, will apply not only to devotees but also to servitors (sevayats) and police personnel stationed inside the 12th-century shrine.

“This is not to inconvenience anyone but to protect the sanctity and security of the shrine,” said Girish Chandra Murmu, who heads the temple’s security sub-committee and is a former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. “No one, including police and sevayats, will be allowed to carry mobile phones inside. Instead, servitors will be provided with closed-circuit walkie-talkie devices for internal communication.”

Murmu emphasized that the Jagannath Temple is not only a revered place of worship but also a symbol of faith for millions. “Our responsibility is to ensure its security — quietly, effectively, and without disrupting its sacred rhythm,” he added.

About the Security Sub-Committee

The Srimandir Security Sub-Committee is a first-of-its-kind body formed under the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, chaired by the erstwhile Puri king Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb. The panel was tasked with recommending upgrades in temple security after several lapses were reported, including devotees carrying mobile phones, unauthorized filming of rituals, and instances of spy cameras being brought inside the sanctum.

Murmu noted that a comprehensive security blueprint is being prepared to safeguard both the temple’s physical and digital assets. “We are drawing up a detailed plan covering internal and external security. Inputs will be taken from the district administration, police, and senior servitors before finalization,” he said.

The blueprint is expected to include measures such as risk assessment, surveillance expansion, vulnerability management, and cybersecurity protocols, marking the first formal integration of digital security measures at the temple. Murmu also clarified that these measures can be incorporated into existing rules without amending the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will be consulted to ensure that heritage structures are not compromised by the new security protocols.

Addressing Security Concerns

Temple security has been a recurring concern in Puri, especially after multiple reports of drones flying over the temple complex. In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has officially designated the Jagannath Temple as a “Red Zone” or no-fly zone, prohibiting all unmanned aerial vehicle operations in the area until September 25, 2028.

Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh welcomed the move, stating, “The Red Zone designation provides us with a legal framework to take strict action against violations. This is a crucial step toward tightening airspace security around the shrine.”

With the combined measures of a mobile phone ban, walkie-talkie communication for sevayats, and no-fly zone regulations, officials aim to ensure foolproof security while preserving the sanctity of the Jagannath Temple, one of India’s most revered religious sites.