Puri Jagannath Temple: ‘New queue darshan system to begin at Puri shrine soon’ | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister’s adviser Prakash Mishra on Sunday reviewed preparations for the proposed queue darshan system at Puri Jagannath Temple and said it will be introduced after constitution of the temple managing committee.
“We will introduce the smooth darshan system soon. It will have special queue facilities for women and elderly people. We are also exploring the feasibility of making arrangements for differently-abled devotees and VIPs,” said Mishra, a former DGP, after his meeting with officials of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and police at Puri.
As per the plan, the new system features a six-lane ramp within wooden collapsible barricades being installed at Natamandap, the dance hall opposite the sanctum sanctorum, to facilitate smooth darshan for devotees. “The arrangements include separate pathways for men, women and senior citizens, with future plans to accommodate differently-abled devotees,” an SJTA official said.
According to the revised system, all devotees will enter via Sata Pahacha, with women and elderly devotees exiting through Ghanti Dwara. Male devotees will exit through Garada Dwara after darshan.
SJTA considers the reform essential, given the current arrangements that create confusion and discomfort for visitors. Devotees unable to enter the sanctum sanctorum now gather in Natamandap without order and discipline, struggling to view the deities due to overcrowding.
The temple has been witnessing an unprecedented rush since the BJP govt reopened all four doors on June 13, a day after CM Mohan Charan Majhi took oath. Three doors remained closed since 2020, causing difficulties for devotees.
“We will introduce the smooth darshan system soon. It will have special queue facilities for women and elderly people. We are also exploring the feasibility of making arrangements for differently-abled devotees and VIPs,” said Mishra, a former DGP, after his meeting with officials of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and police at Puri.
As per the plan, the new system features a six-lane ramp within wooden collapsible barricades being installed at Natamandap, the dance hall opposite the sanctum sanctorum, to facilitate smooth darshan for devotees. “The arrangements include separate pathways for men, women and senior citizens, with future plans to accommodate differently-abled devotees,” an SJTA official said.
According to the revised system, all devotees will enter via Sata Pahacha, with women and elderly devotees exiting through Ghanti Dwara. Male devotees will exit through Garada Dwara after darshan.
SJTA considers the reform essential, given the current arrangements that create confusion and discomfort for visitors. Devotees unable to enter the sanctum sanctorum now gather in Natamandap without order and discipline, struggling to view the deities due to overcrowding.
The temple has been witnessing an unprecedented rush since the BJP govt reopened all four doors on June 13, a day after CM Mohan Charan Majhi took oath. Three doors remained closed since 2020, causing difficulties for devotees.
