Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Man Detained at Jagannath Temple with Spy Glasses, Servitors Suspended
A man was caught with special glasses that had hidden cameras inside the Jagannath temple, where taking pictures is not allowed.
This is not the first time someone has tried to sneak cameras into the temple.
In another situation, a different man tried to enter a special part of the temple by dressing up like a priest, which makes it hard for police to tell who is who.
Also, three temple helpers were suspended for breaking rules.
One helper got in a fight over offerings from people, another was accused of taking money wrongly, and a third used the wrong kind of butter for cooking temple food.
People visiting the temple want stricter rules to keep it safe.
A man named Bharat Pandya was detained at Jagannath temple for possessing hidden cameras in his spectacles on November 7.
Photography and videography are strictly prohibited within the Jagannath temple premises.
This marks the fifth recent incident of visitors attempting to bring hidden cameras into the shrine.
In a separate event, a man disguised as a servitor entered the temple's sanctum sanctorum.
Three temple servitors were suspended for indiscipline, including disputes over offerings, financial irregularities, and using incorrect ghee in rituals.
- Who
- Bharat Pandya from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and three suspended servitors
- What
- A man was detained for carrying hidden cameras in spy glasses into the Jagannath temple. Separately, three servitors were suspended for indiscipline and protocol breaches.
- When
- November 7
- Where
- Jagannath Temple, Puri
- Why
- Pandya was allegedly trying to conduct unauthorized photography/videography. Servitors were suspended for clashing over offerings, collecting money, and using incorrect ingredients in rituals.
- Incident Date
- November 7
- Detained Individual (Spy Glasses)
- Bharat Pandya from Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Prohibited Activity
- Photography and videography inside the shrine
- Previous Incidents
- Fifth such incident in recent months
- Separate Incident Individual
- Shankar Mishra from Jajpur district
- Suspended Servitors
- Narayan Panda, Rajaram Khuntia, Bena Mahasuar