Jagannath Temple Yet to be Accessible For Wheelchair Bound Devotees

Bhubaneswar: After months of closure due to COVID-19 pandemic, Shri Mandir in Puri has opened its gates for the devotees on Tuesday. While thousands of devotees throng to Shree Jagannath temple to get a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, wheelchair bound devotees are missing the opportunity due to lack of facilities for them inside the premises of the temple.

Sharing his displeasure about not being able to enter the temple, disability rights activist Jitendra Biswal said that darshan of Lord Jagannath in Shree Jagannath temple is inaccessible for wheelchair bound devotees. “While others can have the darshan of the lord inside the temple, wheelchair bound devotees have to offer their prayers from the Singhadwara only. There are no accessible arrangements for wheelchair bound devotees like me,” shared Jitendra.

Though the government has made arrangements for wheelchairs and helpers, the wheelchair bound devotees are only allowed till Singhadwara and not inside the temple. 

“It is indecent to lift a devotee and carry him for darshan. Rather proper arrangements need to be made so that they can enter the temple on their own,” he added.