SJTA Appeals To Old & Sick People Not To Visit Jagannath Temple In Puri Now

Puri: Considering heavy rush of devotees, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has appealed to old and sick people not to visit the temple now.

Speaking to media persons in Puri on Monday, chief administrator of SJTA Ranjan Kumar Das said there has been a heavy rush of devotees, mostly comprising ‘Habishyalis’, at Jagannath temple due to ongoing holy month of Kartik. They have to wait in long queues for several hours to get entry inside the temple to have darshan of the deities.

“Considering the rush, we appeal to the devotees to postpone their visit to the temple to avoid the rush now. They can have hassle-free darshan of the deities once the rush subsides after Kartik month. It is advisable for the old, inform and sick people not to stand in the queue to strain themselves,” he said.

Das said the SJTA, the district administration and police are gearing up for inauguration of the heritage corridor around the temple on January 17, 2024. A high-level meeting in this regard was held on the day.

Speaking on the schedule of the programme, he said Puri Gajapati Dubysingha Deb will perform “Acharya Barana” to start the rituals on January 12. It will be followed by “Ankura Pujan” on January 13, “Mandal Sthapan” on January 14, “Akhanda Dipa” on January 15 and “Surya Puja” on January 16.

The rituals will be completed with Purnahuti by Gajapati on January 17 when the heritage corridor will be inaugurated. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to attend the inauguration, Das said.

Among others, Puri collector Samarth Verma, SP Sushil Kumar Mishra and servitors attended the meeting.