Devotees Flock to Puri Jagannath Temple for Year-End Darshan

Puri: As the year 2024 draws to a close, thousands of devotees are making their way to the sacred Jagannath Temple in Puri, seeking a glimpse of Lord Jagannath. The iconic temple witnessed a massive turnout on Monday, with the influx of devotees steadily rising in the final days of the year.

In response to the growing crowd, the temple administration has implemented extensive measures to ensure smooth crowd management and facilitate an orderly darshan. The temple’s chief administrator confirmed that preparations are in full swing to handle the surge in devotees, particularly during the English New Year celebrations.

Special arrangements have been made for rituals on December 31 and January 1, with an emphasis on streamlining entry and exit points. Darshan will be permitted through the Singha Dwara (Lion Gate), while devotees will exit through three designated doors. However, temple servitors and their families will have access to all entry and exit points as usual.

To manage the anticipated large gatherings, the administration has temporarily suspended ‘Dhadi Darshan’ (queue-based viewing). Additionally, the Hundi (donation box) will be relocated near the Nata Mandap as per the Sri Jagannath Temple Act, pending final approval from the state government.

The Srimandira Temple Administration has urged devotees to cooperate with the new arrangements, ensuring a smooth and spiritually enriching experience for all.