Mamata visits Jagannath temple

Puri: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today visited the 12th century Jagannath temple here and had a smooth ‘darshan’ of Lord Jagannath amidst tight security as some groups were opposed to her visit.

Banerjee reached at the temple’s lion gate at about 6 pm. She was welcomed by the priests and the temple administration and spent about one hour in the temple.

“We are happy that Mamata Banerjee visited the temple and had a smooth darshan of the Lord at the temple. She visited several small temples in the premises,” said Jagannath Swain Mohapatra, the “Badagrahi” (body protector) of Lord Jagannath, said.

Mohapatra said there was no opposition to Mamata Banerjee’s visit to the temple as was apprehended earlier.

Meanwhile, a report said the police have detained three activists of Bajrang Dal who attempted to raise slogans against the visit of the West Bengal Chief Minister. The police have also seized saffron flags from detained Bajrang Dal activists.

Earlier yesterday, the police had detained one Somanath Khuntia, a servitor as he allegedly threatened to oppose West Bengal Chief Minister’s visit to the temple.

Khuntia had claimed that servitors are annoyed with Mamata for allegedly supporting consumption of beef, which is against Indian culture and traditions.