BHUBANESWAR: In anticipation of a significant increase in pilgrim footfall during the holy month of Kartika, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced new entry restrictions for devotees at the 12th-century shrine in Puri, Odisha.
Starting from the beginning of Kartika month, devotees will only be permitted to enter the temple through two gates: the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) and the Western Gate, also known as Vyaghradwara. The other three gates, with the exception of Singhadwara, may be used by devotees to exit the shrine. This information was shared by Arabinda Padhee, Chief Administrator of SJTA, via a post on X.
It is important to note that these restrictions do not apply to temple servitors and their family members. Padhee emphasised the necessity of adhering to these rules to ensure a smooth and well-organised darshan experience for the large number of devotees, particularly those who are fasting. “I believe everyone will accept the decision and cooperate,” he stated.
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Currently, devotees have access to all four gates of the temple. However, it’s worth mentioning that all gates were reopened to devotees on June 13, the day following the oath-taking of Odisha’s new Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi. Before this, entry and exit had been limited to the Lion’s Gate, while the other gates—Tiger, Horse, and Elephant—had remained closed since March 2020 due to pandemic-related restrictions.
In addition to the entry restrictions, plans are underway to enhance security and surveillance in Puri. The administration will implement a CCTV surveillance system throughout the town, featuring a portable network with optical fiber systems and 620 cameras strategically positioned at various locations. Key monitoring areas will include entry points such as Athurnalla, Mangalaghat, and Balighat, as well as the Badadanda area, Gundicha Temple, Srimandir, the beach area, and almost all lanes of the town. Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain announced that the cameras will be monitored from a centralized command and control room.
These measures aim to ensure the safety and well-being of the devotees as they gather to celebrate the auspicious month of Kartika at the revered Jagannath Temple.
