Bhubaneswar: A day after a sudden surge of devotees led to a chaotic situation, Additional Director General (ADG) of Police Soumendra Priyadarshi on Monday reviewed the security arrangements at Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri.
The ADG inspected the darshan system inside the 12th-century shrine along with Puri SP Prateek Singh and other senior police officers as the pilgrim city continued to witness heavy footfall of devotees for darshan of the sibling deities in Trivikram Besha on the second day of Panchuka.
The first day of ‘Panchuka’, a five-day ritual to mark the culmination of the holy month of Kartika, saw About 2 lakh devotees flocking to Puri as it concided with Sunday. A chaotic scene erupted when some devotees attempted to enter the temple at the northern gate by bypassing the line, leading to pushing and shoving.
Entry into the shrine during Panchuka is allowed only though the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) on the east side.
Two women apparently fell during the commotion, but police quickly intervened and restored order. “No untoward incident has been reported. All personnel on duty have been thoroughly briefed to manage the crowd effectively and ensure a smooth darshan,” said DIG (central range) Satyajit Naik.
The DGP’s visit followed a direction from the chief minister’s office, following concerns after a recent stampede at a temple in Andhra Pradesh that resulted in nine deaths, and as a precaution after the June 29, 2025, Rath Yatra stampede in Puri that claimed three lives.
Khurania reviewed the security arrangements alongside key officials, including the SJTA Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Padhee, Puri SP Prateek Singh, and DIG (central range) Satyajit Naik, and directed measures for orderly darshan and improved crowd control.
Additional barricades have been installed from Market Chhak to Bagala Dharamshala to manage traffic and prevent bottlenecks, and devotees have been urged to enter only through the Singhadwara and exit via other gates to avoid congestion. The temple has also extended darshan hours until 11.30 pm to accommodate the large crowds.
