Massive Devotee Turnout at Jagannath Temple for Last Tuesday of Kartik Month Amidst Tight Security | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Lakhs of devotees visited Jagannath Temple on the last Tuesday of the Kartik month. Elaborate arrangements were made by the temple administration, police and district authorities to ensure a hassle-free darshan for devotees.
As the rush is likely to continue for the next three days, the temple administration has restricted the entry of devotees through Singhadwar only, with the other three gates used for exit.
“In the wake of the heavy rush of devotees to the temple during Panchuka, the last five days of Kartik month, we have allowed entry through Singhadwar only and exit through the other three gates. This year, a four-day Panchuka will be observed instead of five days. On Friday, the deities will be dressed in Suna Besha. We have spoken to the servitors and urged them to maintain coordination. I am thankful to the servitors, police and volunteers who helped in crowd management and assisted devotees in darshan,” said Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
As many as 30 platoons of police were deployed for crowd management in the Jagannath Temple. “No untoward incident has been reported despite the huge rush of devotees. We have deployed additional force and are trying to manage the crowd while ensuring smooth darshan,” said Charan Singh Meena, DGIP, central range. The temple administration has arranged for additional drinking water facilities and medical assistance counters.
Barricades were installed at strategic points to create organised queues. Senior officials monitored the situation through CCTV cameras installed across the temple premises. The long queues of devotees were seen from Marchikote Square to Singhadwar. An access control system was implemented to check the rush.
“Despite the rush, we could have darshan of the deities. However, we feel special provisions should be made for differently-abled devotees and senior citizens, with dedicated pathways and assistance,” said Latika Swain, a devotee.
During Panchuka, Lord Jagannath is adorned with different beshas, including Laxmi Narayan Besha, Bankachuda Besha, Tribikram Besha and Laxminrusingha Besha. On the last day, the deities are adorned in Suna Besha.
As the rush is likely to continue for the next three days, the temple administration has restricted the entry of devotees through Singhadwar only, with the other three gates used for exit.
“In the wake of the heavy rush of devotees to the temple during Panchuka, the last five days of Kartik month, we have allowed entry through Singhadwar only and exit through the other three gates. This year, a four-day Panchuka will be observed instead of five days. On Friday, the deities will be dressed in Suna Besha. We have spoken to the servitors and urged them to maintain coordination. I am thankful to the servitors, police and volunteers who helped in crowd management and assisted devotees in darshan,” said Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
As many as 30 platoons of police were deployed for crowd management in the Jagannath Temple. “No untoward incident has been reported despite the huge rush of devotees. We have deployed additional force and are trying to manage the crowd while ensuring smooth darshan,” said Charan Singh Meena, DGIP, central range. The temple administration has arranged for additional drinking water facilities and medical assistance counters.
Barricades were installed at strategic points to create organised queues. Senior officials monitored the situation through CCTV cameras installed across the temple premises. The long queues of devotees were seen from Marchikote Square to Singhadwar. An access control system was implemented to check the rush.
“Despite the rush, we could have darshan of the deities. However, we feel special provisions should be made for differently-abled devotees and senior citizens, with dedicated pathways and assistance,” said Latika Swain, a devotee.
During Panchuka, Lord Jagannath is adorned with different beshas, including Laxmi Narayan Besha, Bankachuda Besha, Tribikram Besha and Laxminrusingha Besha. On the last day, the deities are adorned in Suna Besha.
