Man arrested for damage to Jagannath temple kitchen

His motive for damaging 40 earthen hearths in the famous temple’s rosaghara is not yet known

The 30-year-old man who allegedly damaged 40 chullahs (earthen hearths) in the rosaghara, the sacred kitchen of the Shree Jagannath temple in Puri, has been arrested by the police from Khordha district.

“The suspect identified through close circuit television (CCTV) footage has been detained. His name is J. Mohapatra. He hails from the Begunia Police Station [jurisdiction] of Khordha district,” Kanwar Vishal Singh, Puri Superintendent of Police (SP), said on Wednesday.

“We are not disclosing much detail about the accused due to some investigation constraints. During the day of the incident, he had come to visit the Shree Jagannath temple and other temples in Puri. As per his statement, he felt some uneasiness and went to the holy kitchen for damaging the earthen hearths,” Mr. Singh said.

“We got the clue about the man from the railway station. Multiple teams proceeded towards different places. Based on human intelligence and help from local police, we managed to locate and arrest him,” he added.

The man had confessed to committing the crime, the SP said. He has been forwarded to the court.

“As of now, it appears that his statement is vague. The man is not able to tell us his motives behind damaging the hearths. Our investigation will continue to ascertain his motive,” Mr. Singh said.

The damage to the hearths shocked the temple’s devotees. Considered the biggest kitchen of any shrine in the country, the holy kitchen is an important structure of temple.