Non-Hindu pays fine for entering temple

Odisha Channel Bureau Kendrapara, Dec 15: A non-Hindu was allegedly forced to cough up Rs 10,000 penalty for ‘trespassing’ into 300-year-old Baldevjew temple here.Daily rituals of the deity were affected yesterday after a section of servitors identified a man from a minority community who had made his way into the temple.Non-Hindus are barred from gaining entry into the Baldevjew temple as it is the case in Puri Jagannath temple.The ‘bhog’ (offering) had to be dumped as the temple was desecrated following the entry of the non-Hindu.A ritual to purify the temple was later held. The ‘intruder’ was detained and was later let off after he paid Rs 10,000, said sources.As a non-Hindu had entered into the temple, daily ritual was affected.A puja had to be held later to consecrate the temple.As per the tradition, only Hindus irrespective of caste barrier can make their way to the temple for darshan.In past, there are instances of non-Hindus desecrating the temple by act of trespassing.Purification ceremony had been held then to restore sanctity and sacredness of the temple, said servitors.