Amid soaring demands for the reopening of all four 'dwaras' (doors) of Puri Srimandir, the district administration has decided to open the Paschima Dwara of the 12th century shrine from Monday.
According to sources, the Paschima Dwara will be opened for the residents of Puri only.
The local residents have to produce their ID cards supporting their resident to access the temple through Paschima Dwara, sources informed.
After devotees, politicians and servitors, earlier on Sunday, the Temple Management Committee member Sudarshan Pattnaik had raised the demand for the opening of at least one more dwara of the shrine.
“I have already written about my request to the administration. During the Covid-19 pandemic, three doors of Srimandir were closed for the devotees, but till date, they have not been opened. With respect to the local people’s emotion and as a citizen of Puri, I am requesting the administration again to open at least one door of Srimandir for local people immediately. Other doors may be opened after the discussion in the committee,” Pattnaik had said.
It is pertinent to mention here that at present devotees are only allowed inside Puri Jagannath Temple through the gate near Singhadwara. As a result, there is usually a huge rush and devotees have to wait for long hours to gain entry into the shrine.