Ongoing Parikrama Project won’t affect Snana Jatra, says SJTA chief administrator

With around a week left for the ‘Snana Jatra’ of the holy trinity in Puri, pilgrim city dwellers and devotees are in fear and apprehension over the ongoing construction work of Jagannath Temple Parikrama Project. 

The ‘Snana Jatra’ of Lord Jagannath and his siblings is on June 4. On this day, thousands of devotees throng the Grand Road. The ongoing Parikrama Project is believed to become a bottleneck. 

However, the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Ranjan Das said efforts are on to complete the construction work of ‘Bahara Parikrama Project’ by May 30. 

“Our Bahara Parikrama Prakalpa work will end by May 30. It is expected that by then, machinery and all sorts of construction materials would have been removed. Unlike last year, this year devotees will have adequate space. All types of arrangements for devotes will be in place,” said Das. 

On the other hand, the police administration has chalked out a detailed plan to maintain law and order during ‘Snana Jatra’. 

“We are deploying 70 platoons of force. Five to 10 platoons of force will be in reserve for emergency deployment. We are making the barricade system organized so that the devotees can have a hassle-free darshan. Two-wheeler and four-wheeler parking spots have been identified. Soon we will issue a traffic advisory,” informed Puri SP, KV Singh. 

Like every year, this year too, the Sanctum Sanctorum, Nata Mandap, Jagamohan, and Ratna Bedi will be inspected when the deities will be at the Gundicha temple.

“Routine inspections are always carried out. The load support we have fixed at the Jagamohan and Natamandap will be inspected. After going through the load monitoring report, we will take the necessary steps. This year we will hold discussions with the servitors regarding the steps to be taken to end the cockroach menace in the temple,” informed Dr N C Pal, member, Srimandir Core Committee.