Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has completed construction of a ramp and railings at the 12th-century shrine in Odisha’s Puri to ensure smoother and more accessible darshan for persons with disabilities.
Built from the Gumuta near the temple’s northern entrance to Kurma Bedha, the infrastructure aims to make the sacred site significantly more welcoming for Divyang devotees while supporting structured crowd management and safety protocols.
According to sources, a special Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is currently being finalised to regulate the process efficiently. Under this proposed arrangement, eligible devotees will be guided to the area near Bahara Katha, close to Jaya-Vijaya Dwara, enabling them to have a clear view and darshan of Lord Jagannath. Additionally, specially trained volunteers will be deployed to accompany and assist visitors with mobility challenges as they navigate toward the Natamandap or Jagamohan.
Operational modalities for the initiative were recently evaluated during a high-level review meeting. Chaired with key stakeholders in attendance, including the Puri District Collector, the Superintendent of Police, members of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, senior servitors, and temple administration officials, the discussions focused on critical aspects such as online registration, verification frameworks, designated transit routes, safety measures, and emergency protocols. Managing Committee members also contributed valuable recommendations concerning slot scheduling and the overall booking mechanism.
Under the planned online booking system, a Divyang devotee will be eligible to avail of this special darshan facility twice a year, with a mandatory gap of at least six months between visits. A preliminary trial run involving about 20 devotees per day was initaily intended to test the framework. However, authorities decided to defer it during the ongoing Kartik month due to the massive influx of pilgrims, ensuring that the facility becomes fully operational only after all final arrangements are locked in.
A notable point under current review is the restriction on conventional wheelchairs inside the temple premises. The administration is deliberating on suitable alternatives, such as introducing specially designed wooden wheelchairs or utilising attendants to carry devotees, with a definitive policy to be established prior to the official launch.
This step by the temple administration followed a direction issued by the Orissa High Court, emphasising accessible and orderly pilgrimage experiences for all devotees.
