Overflowing drain in front of Puri Srimandir causes inconvenience to devotees

A major inconvenience unfolded for devotees and servitors at Puri Srimandir as drain water overflowed near the Singha Dwara, forcing them to wade through the dirty water to enter the temple premises.

According to sources, the clogged drainage system caused wastewater, including foot-washing water from devotees, to flood the Badadanda (Grand Road) near the temple entrance. 

As a result, pilgrims had no choice but to step into the contaminated water to reach the temple, sources added.

Devotees Express Dissatisfaction

The situation led to widespread dissatisfaction among devotees, prompting immediate intervention by sanitation workers. After the drainage system was cleared, the water receded, restoring normalcy in the area.

“It is very disheartening to see such a pathetic situation at the 12th-century shrine. We come to the temple to attain eternal peace. But wading through the drain water to enter the temple premises is not acceptable at all,” said a devotee.

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Frequent drainage issues near the revered temple have raised concerns among devotees, urging authorities to take permanent measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.

‘Maha Snana’ of the Holy Trinity Performed

Earlier in the day, the Maha Snana ritual was performed at Srimandir after a servitor accidentally touched a Palia Sevak seated on the ‘Singhasana’ during the ‘Mailam’ ritual following the ‘Mangala Alati’.

As per temple traditions, such incidents necessitate a Maha Snana to purify the deities. Due to the ritual, darshan for devotees and other temple proceedings remained temporarily suspended. After the ceremonial bath, Lord Jagannath's subsequent rituals and darshan arrangements were resumed.