Dalai Lama in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday

BHUBANESWAR: Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama , on Tuesday questioned the practice of not allowing non-Hindus inside the Puri Jagannath Temple premises while criticising the Christian missionaries for trying to convert people of other faiths.

"During my last visit to Odisha in 2010, I wished to go to the Jagannath Temple in Puri. I have a practice of visiting holy places wherever I go. I go to local places of worship like churches, gurdwaras, Hindu temples, Buddhist temples and mosques. I have made pilgrimages to Jerusalem (the holy city of the Jewish), the Syrian Christian Church and the Muslim sacred rock," the Dalai Lama told TOI in an interview on Tuesday. He was responding to a question on the state's unique Jagannath culture.

The Dalai Lama, who is here on a two-day visit, said he cannot change his religion to enter the Jagannath Temple. "When I wanted to enter the Jagannath Temple in Puri, they said only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. So, in order to make a pilgrimage to the Jagannath Temple, I have to become a Hindu, which is very difficult," said the Nobel laureate.

The Dalai Lama also questioned conversions by Christian missionaries. "I never say Buddhism is the best religion. I never try to promote it in non-Buddhist countries and in Christian countries like Europe and America. I admire Christian brothers and sisters but don't like it when they try to convert people. Being secular, like India, is a very practical and wonderful approach," he said.

Reacting to the Dalai Lama's comment, Jagannath Temple priests said not allowing non-Hindus inside t is an age-old tradition. "Non-Hindus have not been allowed into the temple for centuries and the rule cannot be changed," said Ramkrushna Das Mohapatra , president of the Daita Pati Nijog (an association of priests).

