News from Puri

Devotees visiting Puri Srimandir are facing severe discomfort due to a prolonged heatwave in Odisha. Despite some efforts like sprinkling water and using white paint to reflect heat, the measures are deemed inadequate, especially for the elderly and children. Resentment is growing among visitors as they endure long waits under harsh conditions.

After Samir Dash was denied a ticket, he made a show of strength by organising a massive rally in Nimapara.

Senior servitor Damodar Mahasuar at the first meeting of the Ratha Yatra Coordination Committee also threatened to launch a hunger strike if steps were not taken to open the four doors of the Srimandir.

As for the Puri Assembly segment, there are two warring factions – one led by Rajya Sabha MP Subhasish Khuntia and the other led by MLA candidate Sunil Mohanty, son of former Speaker and BJD stalwart, late Maheswar Mohanty. 

The last time such a disturbing scene was witnessed along the Puri beach was in June 2022.

Odia devotional singer Santilata Barik's mortal remains were taken from her residence in the Kedargouri area to Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya where students as well as teachers paid their last tributes to the departed soul. From there, the hearse went straight to Swargadwar. 

The BJP stalwart said, "I have put forth a report card pointing out the promises that I made in 2019 and the works I have done so far.”

Sheldon was found in an inebriated condition on Puri beach earlier during the day. Some locals said Marine Police rescued Sheldon and took him to the police station. Later, his family members, who are staying at an ashram in Puri, took him after submitting an undertaking at the police station.

Today some visitors from West Bengal were allegedly allowed through the Western Gate through which only local residents are allowed.

Online fraudsters are on the prowl to exploit the sentiments of devotees of Lord Jagannath. Reports have come to the fore that devotees are being cheated on e-commerce platforms in the name of the 'Patitapaban Bana' (Puri temple flag). 

A woman foreign tourist managed to enter the temple premises. While ascending the Baisi Pahacha(a flight of 22 steps), she was spotted by some servitors. She was being accompanied by a youth.

As per reports, students of some schools under Puri Sadar block were forced to write their exam papers under candle lights after a long power outage made their classrooms dark.

While there is a proposal to construct two underground roads from Sri Krishna Cinema Square to Dolabedi corner and from Dolabedi corner to Badachhata Mutt, questions have been raised about how they will be constructed.

DB Garnaik, the superintending archaeologist of the ASI said, “There was a proposal for a structure to ease movement of devotees. That place comes under a prohibited area. Any kind of structure will hamper the view of the temple. We had told them to have an underground pass.” 

It is observed six days before the Purnima (full moon day) in Phalgun month, as per traditional Odia calendar. Dola Purnima, also known as Dolayatra, is the Holi festival in Odisha and is observed for more than 10 days.