Restrictions At Puri Jagannath Temple From New Year Tomorrow; Ban On Pan Chewing, Polythene

Puri: Devotees visiting the Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri will face a number of restrictions which will come into force at the 12th century shrine from the new year on Monday.

As already announced by the temple administration, the visitors will be required to come in decent outfits for darshan of the sibling deities in the shrine. There will be restriction on the entry of indecently-clad visitors into temple, sources said.

This apart, there will be restriction on chewing of pan and tobacco items as well as use of polythene inside the temple from Monday.

Besides the slew of curbs, a new darshan system for the devotees will also be put in place.

Devotees will not have to wait under the sun in queues for hours for darshan of the deities.
Arrangements have been made for them to pass through AC shed from Marichikote chhak to the temple. While the shed has been equipped with drinking water and makeshift toilets, there are sitting arrangements for the convenience of the devotees.

All the new restrictions will be strictly enforced from New Year’s Day on Monday. Male devotees are required to dress decently. They should wear traditional attire, pants and shirts, while, female devotees should come wearing sarees and salwar suits. Those coming in half pants, ripped jeans, and sleeveless shirts will not be allowed into the shrine. Flowers and Puja items in polythene packets will not be allowed.

The information centre of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has been making people aware of these restrictions through public address system.

Meanwhile, in view of the huge rush of devotees on New Year’s Day, tight security arrangements have been made in the pilgrim town and around 90 platoons of police will be deployed. Traffic restrictions will be effected from the midnight of Sunday. No vehicle zone has been announced from Marichikote Chhak while a green corridor will be made for ambulances.