Puri Collector warns against misinformation after viral video claims ‘curse’ linked to Jagannath Temple

Bhubaneswar, May 29: The Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) Deputy Chief Administrator and Puri Collector, Dibya Jyoti Parida, on Saturday appealed to the public to remain vigilant and avoid spreading misleading information about the Jagannath Temple. His cautionary message came after a video by social media influencer and journalist Shubhankar Mishra went viral, sparking widespread controversy over remarks made about temple traditions and beliefs.

Addressing the media, Parida stated that the SJTA subcommittee had already discussed the matter and would take strict action against anyone found circulating false or harmful narratives regarding Jagannath culture. He urged individuals, especially public figures and content creators, to verify facts with authorities before making statements that could mislead devotees or misrepresent the temple’s heritage.

The viral video in question claimed that unmarried couples visiting the Jagannath Temple together would face troubled relationships or be unable to marry, attributing this to an alleged ‘curse’ of Goddess Radharani. Mishra further suggested that the curse stemmed from a mythological incident where Radharani was reportedly barred from entering the sanctum to meet Lord Jagannath, leading to her anger.

Officials and cultural experts have refuted these claims, emphasizing the need to protect the temple’s legacy from misinformation and sensationalism.