Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty sparks outrage after viral photos inside Lingaraj Temple in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Oct 29: Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has ignited controversy after a photo of her taken in a restricted area of the Sri Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar circulated widely on social media, causing distress among devotees in Odisha.

Sources indicate that Shetty visited Bhubaneswar for the launch of a jewellery store and subsequently toured the temple. However, the presence of her photographs has raised eyebrows, as the temple enforces a strict ban on mobile phones for visitors. This policy aims to maintain the sanctity of the holy site and ensure security.

This incident is not isolated; there have been prior instances where celebrities were allowed to bring mobile devices into temples while regular visitors were not. Compounding the issue, a temple supervisor was seen posing with Shetty in one of the photos, leading to further scrutiny regarding the enforcement of rules, particularly by those tasked with upholding them.

Devotees are questioning how Shetty managed to take pictures inside the sacred area, highlighting concerns about the consistency of the temple's regulations and the privileges extended to celebrities. Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh remarked, “This is a serious mistake that keeps recurring. Even the Prime Minister follows the temple's rules during visits. All celebrities are explicitly instructed not to bring mobile phones to famous temples like Puri Srimandir or Lingaraj Temple, yet such lapses continue. Strict action will be taken against those responsible.”

As of now, there has been no official response from the temple administration or its servitors regarding the incident.