Puri Jagannath Temple to set up ‘pink help desks’ for security of women devotees

The Puri police announced the launch of a dedicated ‘pink help desk’ at the 12th-century Jagannath Temple on Friday, aiming to strengthen security for women devotees.

According to a report by The Times of India, the operations of these ‘pink desks’ will start on Sunday and will be managed by six specially trained female constables to address grievances, offer immediate assistance, and prevent harassment.

Puri Superintendent of Police Vinit Agrawal emphasised the desk’s role in ensuring a safer pilgrimage experience. While harassment incidents at the temple are rare, the measure addresses the surge in visitors, particularly women, said the reports.

The desk will collect feedback, coordinate with local police, and streamline emergency responses, helping to create smoother darshan facilities for all devotees.

New Annakhetra to Ease Crowd Pressure

In a separate review of temple infrastructure recently, Puri’s Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb proposed establishing an Annakhetra (community kitchen) outside the temple’s northern gate.

The move aims to reduce overcrowding in the Anand Bazaar area, where serving Mahaprasad (holy food) has become challenging due to rising pilgrim numbers.

A temple advisory committee, led by the Gajapati Maharaja, inspected ongoing projects, including the Srimandir Parikrama redevelopment, Gundicha Temple, and pilgrim centres. Further reviews will cover the temple office, library, and cultural centres, and the Annakhetra plan will undergo detailed discussions before implementation.

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Ratna Bhandar Restoration Progress

In related news, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) announced that restoration work on the temple’s Ratna Bhandar (treasure vault) remains paused until June 27 to prioritise final-phase conservation.

Chief Administrator of the temple administration, Arabinda Padhee, confirmed that 193 hours of repairs over four months have nearly completed the inner chamber’s stonework and flooring.

From June 28, workers will install stainless steel beams in the outer chamber to reinforce its structure, eventually completing the process.