Special arrangements for smooth ‘darshan’ in Puri Jagannath temple on Dec 31, Jan 1

The SJTA in a statement said, “Entry for darshan in the 12th-century shrine will be allowed only through the Singhadwar (Lion’s gate), while exit has been arranged through the other three gates. General devotees will not be permitted to enter through any gates other than the Singhadwar.” However, this arrangement will not apply for servitors and their family members, who may enter or exit through any gate.

“We seek everyone’s cooperation for the smooth implementation of this arrangement for the orderly darshan of Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath),” SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee said.

He said this arrangement in the temple will be implemented on December 31 and January 1.

This apart, the Puri district administration and police have made elaborate security arrangements for devotees. Barricades have been erected from the Singhadwar to Market Square in the town so that the devotees can enter the temple in an organised manner.

DIG (Central) Charan Singh Meena said 60 platoons (1 platoon comprises 30 personnel) would be deployed for crowd management on the two days. At least 10 additional SPs, 33 DSPs, 62 inspectors, 245 sub-inspectors and assistant SIs would be deployed for crowd control and management.

Two teams of police would be deployed inside the temple and arrangements have been made to engage special anti-snatching teams, Meena said, adding that traffic arrangements and parking places have been prepared for devotees and tourists coming from different places.

He said checking of vehicles has already started at different entry points to Puri and in the town. A special outpost would be opened on the sea beach, which will keep a watch on tourists.

Meanwhile, around 10 devotees, including four students, fainted and complained of breathlessness due to overcrowding inside the Shree Jagannath Temple here, police said.

The four students were hospitalised and discharged in the evening, they added. PTI AAM RG RBT