Puri’s Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will soon set up a dedicated baby feeding room within the shrine complex to provide privacy and comfort for nursing mothers. Meanwhile, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced that a queue system for darshan will be implemented from September 15 after reconstitution of the mandir managing committee. Both initiatives aim to improve facilities, safety, and crowd management at the 12th-century shrine.
A development aimed at improving both devotee convenience and crowd management at the 12th-century Shree Jagannath mandir, the mandir administration has announced two major initiatives the introduction of a queue system for darshan from September 15 and the setting up of a dedicated baby feeding room within the shrine complex.
Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan confirmed that the much-anticipated queue system will come into effect next month. He said the new arrangement will be rolled out after the reconstitution of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, which is expected to be formed by September 3 or 4. The committee’s first meeting will deliberate on key issues, including the proposed relocation of the Hundi (donation box) from the Jagamohan area, paving the way for a streamlined crowd management process.
“The mandir administration is fully prepared to implement the queue system. This step will not only enhance crowd control but also ensure that devotees can have darshan in a more organized and disciplined manner,” Harichandan stated.
The Srimandir Managing Committee, crucial for the administration of the shrine, has remained inactive since its tenure ended in August 2024. The delay in reconstitution has triggered criticism from devotees and servitors, especially in the backdrop of the Ratna Bhandar inventory concerns and the recent stampede during the annual Ratha Yatra. Officials hope the introduction of a queue system will address long-standing challenges of overcrowding and safety.
Meanwhile, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has also decided to establish a dedicated breastfeeding room for nursing mothers visiting the shrine..
According to officials, the facility is intended to provide a comfortable, hygienic, and private space for nursing mothers, addressing a long-standing demand from devotees who visit the 12th-century mandir with infants. The decision was announced by SJTA through a post on its official X handle.
The breastfeeding room will be located near the mandir administration branch office inside the premises. Special arrangements will be made to ensure cleanliness, privacy, and comfort for both mothers and infants. To manage the facility efficiently, a dedicated female assistant will be appointed.
SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee has directed officials to prioritise the project and ensure that the room is well equipped to meet the needs of nursing mothers. A detailed discussion has already been held by mandir authorities, and a suitable location has been identified for the facility.
The initiative, which comes in response to repeated appeals from devotees, is expected to make mandir visits more convenient for women and families, reinforcing SJTA’s focus on creating a supportive environment at the historic shrine.
