Puri, Oct 31: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri has announced special arrangements for the upcoming Panchuka period, a sacred ritual observed during the final days of the holy month of Kartika. Traditionally celebrated for five days, this year’s observance will span four days, emphasizing disciplined devotion to Lord Krishna through fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection.

Entry and Exit Norms

To manage the large influx of devotees, SJTA has introduced a streamlined darshan system. All devotees will enter the temple exclusively through the Singhadwara (Lion Gate), while the other three gates will be designated for exit. This measure aims to reduce congestion and ensure smooth movement within the temple premises.

Darshan Guidelines

Darshan will be regulated with inner sanctum access allowed only on Kartika Purnima. For the first three days of Panchuka, devotees will be restricted to outer sanctum darshan. Servitors have agreed not to escort patrons through alternate gates, maintaining order and fairness in access.

Administrative Oversight

A high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Administrator finalized these protocols. Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan confirmed that all necessary discussions between the temple administration and the law department have been completed to prioritize crowd control, ritual sanctity, and devotee convenience.

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Support Services

Barricades will be set up along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to guide devotees, and emergency medical centers will be operational during the festival. Members of the temple’s management committee and administrative officials will be present to oversee the rituals and ensure smooth execution.

Post-Kartika Plans

After the month of Kartika, queue-based darshan will restart at the Shree Jagannath Temple, and the temple administration will initiate the counting process of the sacred treasury, Ratna Bhandar.