Puri: To begin the first day of New Year 2024 with Darshan of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath, a record number of devotees throng to pilgrim town Puri today.
For the first time, on New Year’s Day, such a huge crowd of devotees visited the temple till 5 PM and thanks to efforts of State Police, it was an hassle free darshan for thousands of devotees.
IGP Central Range, Ashish Kumar Singh proactively led the Team Police, which ensured darshan for devotees, an official said.
“We are extremely thankful to devotees for extremely positive feedback on AC Shed, Seating arrangements in Barricades & special efforts by Police, NGOs & Volunteers in assisting Specially-abled/old age devotees. By 5 PM, 3.5 lakhs devotees have done the Darshan,” Puri Police said on X.
The temple was reopened for the devotees at 1:40 am and since then devotees have made a bee line at Grand Road to visit the temple.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and police have made elaborate arrangements for smooth darshan of the devotees. The air-conditioned tensile fabric structure that has been built outside the temple was made functional for devotees from this morning.
Facilities such as drinking water and public toilets have been made available at the structure, and these have also been equipped with CCTV cameras and public announcement systems. Sitting arrangements have also been provided in them.
IGP (Central Range), Ashish Kumar Singh said, “Nearly double devotees have already visited the temple today compared to the same day on last year. The darshan was started early at 1.40 am and since then it is going on. The darshan was halted for some while for rituals of the Lords.”
Darshan has since been going on smoothly. Devotees are coming to the temple through the AC shed. Special arrangements have been made the senior citizens and PwDs. Till now, there was no complaint from the devotees about the arrangements made for them, IGP said.
After visiting the temple, the devotees are exiting the temple through the north gate, Shri Singh added.
Traffic restrictions have also been imposed in the town for the New Year’s Day.
Market Square to Lion’s Gate on Grand Road has been declared a ‘No Vehicle Zone’. Vehicles have also been banned on the beachside road from Digabareni to Lighthouse, officials said.
SP Puri Kanwar Vishal Singh was seen taking care of devotees personall yand it came as a great help for the waiting pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the new rule of ‘decent attire’ of devotees visiting the temple came into force on the opening day of 2024. As per the rules, no devotee will be allowed inside the shrine with ‘indecent attire’. They will have to cover their body fully before making their entry into the shrine, while those wearing half pants will not be allowed inside the temple.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has earlier issued an order for this purpose and the police officials enforcing the order.
Devotees wearing decent clothes were only allowed to enter into the 12th century shrine. Devotees wearing half-pants, shorts, torn jeans, skirts and sleeveless dresses are not allowed entry into the temple, an official said.
Many devotees were seen wearing dhoti and towels while visiting the temple on the first day of 2024.
To maintain the sanctity of the holy place, the SJTA has also enforced the gutkha and pan ban order inside the temple. Those who violate the restriction, have been fined, said the official.