Devotees to enter Srimandir through only Singhadwar on Dec 31 & Jan 1: SJTA

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced a new protocol for entry into Srimandir during the year-end celebrations. On December 31 and New Year's Day, general devotees will be permitted to enter the temple through only the Singhadwara (Lion's Gate). Access through the other three gates will be restricted, although these gates will remain available for exits.

This decision aims to effectively manage the large number of devotees expected during this period. The specific use of the Singhadwara, which serves as the main entrance to the temple, is intended to streamline entry.

A huge number of devotees, including senior citizens and Divyangs, visited the 12th-century shiren Sunday. They were seen standing in queues within specific barricades that start from Marchikote Square for two-three hours while waiting for their turn to enter the shrine. All the senior citizens and Divyangs complained that despite hardship, they didn’t have a hassle-free darshan of the deities. 

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When contacted, Puri SP Vinit Agarwal said from tomorrow a special police team will look over how young volunteers facilitate entry of senior citizens and Divyangs through other entrances like ‘Ghanti Dwar’ and ‘Garada Dwar’.

Keeping the turning up of a huge number of devotees on December 31 and January 1 in view, the district and police administrations have made elaborate arrangements. While the pilgrim city will be under the surveillance of CCTV cameras, as many as 60 platoons of police forces, two officers of commandant rank, 10 additional SPs, 33 DSPs, 245 inspectors, sub-inspectors and over 800 home guards will also be deployed.