In 2023, the Jagannath temple administration had to make a firm decision regarding the increased number of rodents in the temple. The administration removed the rat extermination machine from the sanctum sanctorum of Puri’s Jagannath temple.
The number of rodents had increased manifold during the COVID-19 pandemic and now have been chewing away the attires of sibling gods Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, seated on the ‘Ratna Singhasan’ in the shrine.
Reportedly, the servitors and priests have raised an alarm that the rodents may damage the wooden idols of the deities. Also, Satyanarayan Puspalak representing the group of servitors who decorate the deities with garlands stated that the rodents have been a disturbance when the priests perform the rituals.
Though the rodents cause a nuisance in the ‘Garva Gruha’, the servitors do not have the permission to kill animals or poison them inside the temple. Further, Temple administrator Jitendra Sahoo said that the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) was aware of the rodent menace.
The Wildlife Division of Puri states that monkeys, bats, pigeons and even snakes can be found on the premises of the Jagannath temple.
