Puri: Special arrangements have been made at the northern gate of Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri to enable differently-abled and elderly devotees to have a smooth and convenient darshan at the shrine.
As part of the arrangements, construction of a ramp and railing from the northern gate Gumuta to the Kurma Bedha has already been completed.
Specially trained volunteers will be deployed to assist differently-abled and senior devotees. These volunteers will help devotees reach up to the Natamandap or Jagamohan.
An online mobile application is being developed for availing this facility, Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Arabinda Kumar Padhee said.
In the initial pilot phase, 50 differently-abled and elderly devotees will be able to use this facility daily through the online and mobile application.
Discussions were held in a meeting chaired by the Governor about the possible engagement of volunteers from the Indian Red Cross Society and St. John Ambulance. The SJTA has written to the Puri Collector and President of the District Red Cross Society for making available trained volunteers.
Ensuring peaceful and orderly darshan of the sibling deities by all devotees remains the top priority of the temple administration.