Puri braces for heavy devotee rush at Jagannath Temple ahead of New Year; security beefed up

With the New Year around the corner, the pilgrim town of Puri is witnessing a significant increase in the number of devotees flocking to the Srimandir to have darshan of Lord Jagannath and His Siblings. 

According to sources, pilgrims have been arriving in large numbers over the past few days, and the crowd is expected to swell even further on December 31 and January 1, which are likely to witness peak footfall.

Extensive Arrangements for Smooth Darshan

In anticipation of the rush, the temple administration has made extensive arrangements to ensure smooth movement and the safety of devotees. 

Barricades have been erected from the Srimandir premises all the way to Bagala Dharamshala to manage the flow of pilgrims. A one-way movement system has been introduced during darshan on peak days to avoid congestion and maintain order.

Designated Entry and Exit Points

The temple authorities have instructed devotees to enter through the Singhadwara and exit via three other ‘dwaras’ of the shrine. This arrangement aims to streamline the flow of visitors and prevent overcrowding near the main shrine.

Security measures have been strengthened from the temple area to the sea beach, with a deployment of 25 platoons under the supervision of senior officials. 

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Police and temple staff will closely monitor the movement of the crowd and assist devotees in following the prescribed routes.

Peak New Year Planning

According to police planning, as many as 60 platoons will be mobilised during the peak New Year period, with special focus on crowd regulation near the temple gates, Bada Danda, and the beach areas.