Puri: With the New Year drawing closer, Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri is witnessing a steady rise in the influx of devotees who are queuing up at Shree Jagannath Temple for darshan of the sibling deities.
The footfall has been increasing with each passing day in the seaside town as visitors are keen to welcome 2026 by offering prayers at the 12th century shrine.
In view of the surging crowd of devotees from across the state and beyond, temple authorities as well as the district administration are gearing up to strengthen measures for effective crowd control.
The rise in people thronging the holy town is expected to continue till the end of the holiday season with people seeking blessings of Lord Jagannath and siblings before and on the New Year.
Barricading has been done extensively from Shree Jagannath Temple to Bagala Dharamshala. Police personnel in strength have been stationed at strategic points to monitor crowd movement, assist pilgrims, and respond promptly to any untoward situation.
Puri SP Prateek Singh stated that all measures have been put in place for crowd management. Ambulance and Fire Services personnel are on standby near the temple.
The number of people at Puri is expected to peak on December 31 and January 1 for midnight and New Year celebrations. Srimandir will attract the maximum devotees on these days as traditionally most people come for darshan of the sibling deities.
On December 31, darshan is permitted till 11 pm. 25 platoon forces of Police will be deployed to maintain law and order and ensure smooth darshan at the temple.
