Puri Jagannath Temple Introduces New Darshan System

Devotees to Experience More Organized Darshan at Puri Jagannath Temple
Puri Jagannath Temple to Introduce New Darshan System from January 1
Puri: Starting New Year’s Day, the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri will implement a new system for devotees to facilitate a smoother darshan experience. Chief Administrator Aravind Padhi announced the introduction of two separate queues—one for women, children, and infants, and another for male devotees. The darshan will now be arranged from the temple’s Natamandap, with additional provisions being planned for Divyang (differently-abled) devotees.
In preparation for these changes, Odisha Law Minister Prithivraj Harichandan recently met with officials from the Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation (OBCC), temple servitors, and stakeholders to discuss infrastructure enhancements. These include the installation of collapsible barricades and ramps in the Natamandap area.
To maintain order in the Anand Bazaar, the temple’s mahaprasad (sacred food offering) market, 20 ex-military personnel have been deployed alongside the temple’s regular security staff. This team will oversee the enforcement of administrative measures. A dedicated committee, led by the Puri Collector and including representatives from Suara and Mahasuar Nijogs, will manage the Anand Bazaar arrangements.
In an effort to enhance transparency, unauthorized Dakshina (offerings) collections using pots and plates have been prohibited. Plans are underway, in consultation with the Chhatisha Nijog, to place Hundees (donation boxes) at strategic locations within the temple premises. Additionally, strict actions are being taken against unruly servitors, with the police addressing specific complaints as they arise.
Meanwhile, repairs and conservation work in the Ratna Bhandar (treasury) have faced delays due to ritual-related interruptions, including the Mahasnan on December 18 and 19. The ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) team managed to conduct limited repair work, accumulating only three hours of progress so far.
Temple officials noted that the ongoing Pahili Bhog rituals are also affecting the regular schedule. Despite these delays, the ASI aims to complete the repairs within the stipulated three months, as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). All repair work is being closely supervised by authorized personnel.
These new measures are part of the temple administration’s efforts to enhance discipline, security, and accessibility for all devotees visiting the sacred site.
