As the sacred ritual of Suna Besha of Lord Jagannath and His siblings is all set to unfold in Puri on Sunday, the temple town is witnessing an overwhelming influx of devotees eager to catch a glimpse of the Sibling deities in their majestic golden attire.
The rare spectacle, held once a year atop the chariots in front of the Srimandir, has already drawn lakhs of pilgrims from across the state and country.
In response to the heavy rush, Odisha Police has issued a traffic alert early on Sunday morning. The segregation of vehicles based on pre-issued passes has been temporarily suspended due to excessive inflow.
Vehicles entering Batagaon and Malatipatpur—two major transit points—are experiencing waiting times of up to one hour. The police have urged visitors to remain patient and plan accordingly.
Adding to the challenges, most of the designated parking zones within the city have reached maximum capacity.
According to the latest updates from police officials, parking is now being facilitated only at Talabania and Sterling, subject to availability. Visitors have been advised to check space availability before proceeding to the temple zone.
Security forces and traffic personnel have been deployed in large numbers to manage crowd movement and ensure a smooth darshan experience for everyone.
The police have appealed to devotees to cooperate with on-ground officials and maintain order. As the day progresses, the crowd is expected to swell further.