Trial runs for new darshan system in Puri shrine on Dec 30 & 31: Min | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Trial runs for the queue darshan system at Puri Jagannath Temple will be conducted on Dec 30 and 31 before its official launch on New Year’s Day, law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Sunday.
The new system features a six-lane ramp within wooden collapsible barricades being installed at the Natamandap, dance hall opposite the sanctum sanctorum, to facilitate smooth darshan. The arrangements include separate pathways for men, women and senior citizens, with future plans to accommodate differently-abled devotees.
“Devotees waiting in queues will get a clearer view of the deities from Jan 1, in the new darshan system whose dry runs will be held on Dec 30 and 31. All necessary measures, precautions and arrangements required for the transition process will be in place by Dec 28,” Harichandan said.
As per 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. The shrine administration has positioned 20 retired defence personnel at Ananda Bazaar, alongside regular temple security staff, to manage the movement of devotees while purchasing Mahaprasad.
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) considers the new system essential, given the current arrangements that create confusion and discomfort for visitors. Devotees unable to enter the sanctum sanctorum now gather in the Natamandap without order, struggling to view the sibling deities due to overcrowding.
“We have been witnessing an unprecedented rush in the temple since the state govt reopened all four doors on June 13. Three doors had remained closed since 2020, causing difficulties for devotees. The number of visitors has increased from around 50,000 on regular days to over 100,000 during weekends, requiring enhanced police presence,” a senior temple official said.
Devotees expressed hope for improvement in the new system. “I dropped my plan to visit the temple on several occasions due to uncontrolled rush and poor darshan arrangements. All we want is hassle-free darshan. There should be proper planning and crowd control measures,” said Pramod Rath, an elderly devotee from Bhubaneswar.
The new system features a six-lane ramp within wooden collapsible barricades being installed at the Natamandap, dance hall opposite the sanctum sanctorum, to facilitate smooth darshan. The arrangements include separate pathways for men, women and senior citizens, with future plans to accommodate differently-abled devotees.
“Devotees waiting in queues will get a clearer view of the deities from Jan 1, in the new darshan system whose dry runs will be held on Dec 30 and 31. All necessary measures, precautions and arrangements required for the transition process will be in place by Dec 28,” Harichandan said.
As per 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. The shrine administration has positioned 20 retired defence personnel at Ananda Bazaar, alongside regular temple security staff, to manage the movement of devotees while purchasing Mahaprasad.
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) considers the new system essential, given the current arrangements that create confusion and discomfort for visitors. Devotees unable to enter the sanctum sanctorum now gather in the Natamandap without order, struggling to view the sibling deities due to overcrowding.
“We have been witnessing an unprecedented rush in the temple since the state govt reopened all four doors on June 13. Three doors had remained closed since 2020, causing difficulties for devotees. The number of visitors has increased from around 50,000 on regular days to over 100,000 during weekends, requiring enhanced police presence,” a senior temple official said.
Devotees expressed hope for improvement in the new system. “I dropped my plan to visit the temple on several occasions due to uncontrolled rush and poor darshan arrangements. All we want is hassle-free darshan. There should be proper planning and crowd control measures,” said Pramod Rath, an elderly devotee from Bhubaneswar.
