A major security lapse has once again rocked the Jagannath Temple in Puri. On Tuesday at 5:35 PM, while the ritualistic changing of the Bana (holy flag) was underway at the Nilachakra, two unauthorized drones were spotted hovering over the restricted airspace.
The timing of the breach is particularly sensitive as the Ratnabhandar (temple treasury) inventory and gem-counting are currently in progress under "tight" security. Despite media cameras capturing the drones in real-time, the police administration remained silent observers, failing to intercept the devices or identify the operators.
This is far from an isolated incident:
February 22: Drone spotted over the inner sanctum.
October 8–9: Back-to-back flights over restricted zones.
June: Similar aerial violations reported.
Despite repeated incursions, the recurring nature of these "spy" flights raises serious questions about the temple's "no-fly zone" enforcement. While the administration remains in a deep slumber, the safety of the temple's hidden treasures and its spiritual sanctity hangs in the balance.