In order to prohibit people from lighting Kaunriya Kathi (jute sticks) around Srimandir in Puri on Diwali, the district administration has imposed Section 144 near the shrine during the festival.
The prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC has been clamped around Srimandir from 4 am today and will remain in effect till midnight.
Every year thousands of devotees throng Srimandir on Diwali to light Kaunriya Kathi in front of Singhadwar (Lions Gate) and around the shrine as a part of the tradition. Devotees from across the State and country throng the 12th-century shrine of Lord Jagannath to pay obeisance to their ancestors during Diwali. People offer Paya Shraddha and light jute sticks with belief that spirits of our forefathers who visit the earth on Mahalaya may return to their heavenly abode with lights on Diwali.
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Expecting a large number of devotees this year too, the administration imposed Section-144.
The administration has taken such strict measures in the wake of containing pollution as well as restricting COVID transmission. Moreover, devotees are restricted from entering Srimandir today.
Earlier, the administration had urged the public to refrain from gathering around the temple to offer paya shraddha and burn kaunriya kathi during the occasion.
It is pertinent to mention here that, the district administration had imposed section-144 last year too in the view of COVID19.