37. Non-Hindus Tread the Humble Path in Jagannath Puri

Non-Hindus Tread the Humble Path in Jagannath Puri:

Although many western born converts to Hindu thought and Gaudiya Vaishnavism in particular visit Puri, they cannot enter the temple to see Lord Jagannatha because temple law forbids entrance of "non-Hindus." 

Srila Prabhupada speaks sympathetically. "We should not feel sorry about this, as long as we engage in chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. Krsna Himself associates with devotees who are chanting His holy name, and there is no need to be unhappy over not being able to enter a certain temple. Such dogmatic prohibitions were not approved by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Those who were thought unfit to enter the Jagannatha temple [Srila Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami, Haridasa Thakura] were daily visited by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and this indicates that Mahaprabhu did not approve such prohibitions. To avoid unnecessary turmoil, however, these great personalities did not enter the Jagannatha temple." (Cc. 2.1.63)

Humility paves the way to the heart of the Lord. Our guardian once said, "Do not try to see Krsna, but act in such a way that the Lord will come to see you." Our previous acaryas exhibited the zenith of meekness while living in Puri.