Puri: The Sri Jagannath Temple administration will implement a new system for devotees to have darshan of Lord Jagannath and his siblings starting from the New Year.
The Chief Administrator of the Sri Jagannath Temple, Aravind Padhi, announced that two separate lines will be introduced—one for women, infants, and children and the other for male devotees. He added that devotees will be able to have darshan from the temple's Natamandap, with efforts underway to provide special provisions for Divyang (differently abled) devotees to facilitate their darshan.
In this regard, Odisha Law Minister Prithivraj Harichandan recently held a meeting with the Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation (OBCC), temple servitors, and other stakeholders regarding the installation of collapsible barricades and ramps in the Natamandap as part of the new arrangements.
To bring discipline to the Anand Bazaar, the temple's mahaprasad (sacred food offering) market, the administration has appointed twenty ex-military personnel and the regular Jagannath Temple security staff. These personnel will ensure the implementation of administrative directives.
A committee led by the Puri Collector, including office bearers of the Suara and Mahasuar Nijogs along with other concerned Nijogs, will oversee the arrangements in Anand Bazaar, Padhi informed.
Unauthorized collection of Dakshina (offerings) through pots and plates has been stopped. The administration, in consultation with the Chhatisha Nijog, is planning to place Hundees (donation boxes) at several locations in the temple premises. Strict action is being taken against unruly servitors, with police addressing specific complaints, the Chief Administrator added.
Repairs and conservation work in the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) have been delayed due to interruptions caused by rituals like Mahasnan on December 18 and 19. The ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) team has been able to conduct repair work for approximately three hours.
Temple sources stated that ongoing Pahili Bhog rituals are causing delays in the regular rituals. "We expect the ASI to complete their work within the stipulated time of three months," Padhi said.
The repair work is being carried out as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and under the supervision of authorized personnel.
