Puri, Jan 1: While many people in Odisha welcomed the New Year 2024 with a party, dance, and music, some others chose to start the day on a religious note.

Thousands of devotees thronged the Srimandir in Puri to glimpse their beloved Lord Jagannath and avail His blessings on New Year’s Day.

The Temple administration also seemed up for it and finished the last night’s ritual by 11 pm on Sunday. The Temple started receiving the devotees after 1:40 am. Elaborate arrangements were also made for the convenience of the devotees.

Meanwhile, the new rule of ‘decent attire’ has been enforced in Srimandir from New Year. As per the rules, no devotee will be allowed inside the Temple with ‘indecent attire’. They will have to cover their body fully before making their entry into the 12th-century shrine.

Women devotees were told to wear sarees and salwars while males were advised to wear pants, shirts, and kurta-punjabis. Besides, children under 12 are allowed to wear half pants and shirts, but grown-ups are advised not to wear tattered jeans, half pants, and sleeves.

The Jagannath Temple Police and Pratihari servitors are checking and ensuring adherence to the rule.

It is worth mentioning that the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has already made the dress code compulsory for servitors from October 20, 2021. As per the dress code, all the servitors have been directed to wear a Dhoti, towel, and Patta while performing puja.
Apart from that, Gutkha and Pan have also been banned inside Srimandir premises from today. Nobody will be allowed to chew them inside the shrine.

Argus English | argus english | Odisha Latest News, Breaking News, Trending News, Live TV