Security at Puri’s revered Shri Jagannath Mandir is once again under scrutiny following a series of incidents involving hidden spy cameras and a suspected drone flight over the 12th-century shrine. Despite strict prohibitions on photography and videography within the Mandir premises, violations have been repeatedly reported, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing safeguards.
The latest incident occurred on August 27 when 31-year-old Arup Ray, a devotee from North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, attempted to enter the Mandir with his family while wearing spectacles fitted with a spy camera. During darshan near the sanctum area, Mandir police officer Harihar Pratihari noticed the suspicious device. Acting swiftly, he detained Ray and escorted him to the Singhadwar police station for interrogation.
Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Prateek Singh confirmed the incident, stating that the gadget had been seized and legal proceedings were underway. “The accused has been questioned, and action will be taken against him under the provisions of the Shri Jagannath Mandir Act,” Singh said. He added that security forces, including police and Mandir personnel, have been specially trained to detect covert devices like hidden cameras. “Anyone attempting to sneak in such equipment will be caught. To enhance awareness, the old ‘No Photography’ signboards at the temple gates will be replaced with new, more prominent ones,” he stated.
However, just hours after Ray’s detention, fresh concerns arose when a drone was spotted hovering above the Mandir late August 27 night. Eyewitnesses reported that the device flew from the Market Chhak area towards Srimandir, circled the Mandir briefly, and then moved in the direction of Dolamandap Sahi. This sighting has triggered alarm, as the Jagannath Mandir and its surroundings are officially designated a “no-flying zone.”
While police have yet to trace the operator or confirm the drone’s origin, initial suspicion suggests it may have been launched from near Market Chhak. The incident has intensified concerns that such aerial intrusions could compromise not only the safety of devotees but also the sanctity and protection of the centuries-old monument. Authorities are now under pressure to strengthen surveillance and address security loopholes both on the ground and in the airspace around Srimandir.
These twin incidents have brought renewed focus to a series of recent breaches reported at the Mandir over the past month.
Timeline of Recent Security Breaches at Puri Srimandir
• August 27: A devotee from West Bengal, identified as Arup Ray, was detained for entering the shrine with spectacles embedded with spy cameras.
• August 5: A youth from West Bengal was caught with similar hidden-camera spectacles while attempting to record visuals inside the Mandir .
• August 4: A devotee from Gujarat was apprehended for carrying spy camera–fitted glasses during darshan.
• July 29: A youth from Puri was nabbed after being found with a covert camera device inside the shrine.
With four incidents of spy cameras reported in less than a month, along with the additional scare of drone activity, the Mandirs security preparedness is facing unprecedented scrutiny. Devotees and heritage conservationists alike fear that repeated breaches, if not addressed urgently, could tarnish the sanctity of the shrine and pose larger threats to public safety.
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