Sri Jagannath Temple to Trial Queue Darshan for Devotees on December 27-28

Puri: The Sri Jagannath Temple administration will introduce a queue system for darshan (Dhadi Darshan) on a trial basis on December 27 and 28 in the Natamandap. The initiative aims to streamline the darshan process and address previous safety concerns.

Puri District Collector Sidharth Sankar Swain announced that devotees would enter through the Satapahach door and have darshan of Lord Jagannath and his siblings from an elevated ramp before exiting via the Ghantidwar.

The elevated ramp, designed to provide a clear view of the Trinity, is two feet wide and features a second ramp behind it, elevated by an additional four inches. This arrangement ensures devotees in both lines can have an uninterrupted view without needing to approach the Baharkath.

To enhance convenience and safety, devotees will be categorized into six groups—three dedicated to women, children, and the elderly, and three for men.

Previously, while devotees entered the temple in queues through Simhadwar, the lack of an organized system within the Natamandap often led to overcrowding and stampede-like situations. The trial system is expected to eliminate such risks.

The decision to implement the queue system followed consultations with the Pratihari and other servitor bodies. If the trial proves successful, the system will be adopted permanently from the New Year, Swain confirmed.

The trial is seen as a significant step towards improving the darshan experience for the lakhs of devotees visiting the temple every year.