In view of the heavy influx of devotees during New Year celebrations, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri has revised the timing of the Dhwaja Bandha ritual on Sunday. The ritual, which is traditionally performed around 5.00 pm, will now be concluded by 3.00 pm to ensure smoother crowd management and uninterrupted darshan for pilgrims.
SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee issued the directive, stating that the decision was taken to prevent congestion inside and around the 12th-century shrine during peak visiting hours. Temple officials said the revised schedule forms part of a broader crowd regulation plan implemented during the New Year period, when footfall at the Srimandir usually rises sharply.
Officials added that all rituals will continue to be conducted strictly as per tradition, with only minor adjustments in timing to facilitate orderly movement of devotees and maintain safety within the temple premises.
Objection Raised Over Midnight Temple Opening
Meanwhile, a fresh debate has emerged over recent practices adopted during New Year observances at the Jagannath Temple. Mahesh Sahu, a member of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, has raised objections to the practice of opening the temple at midnight on New Year’s Eve after the completion of the Pahuda (sleep) ritual.
In a letter addressed to Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan and SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, Sahu argued that keeping Lord Jagannath and His siblings awake through the night for New Year rituals goes against long-established Sanatan Hindu traditions.
He emphasised that all rituals at the shrine are governed by ancient scriptures and centuries-old temple customs, which must not be altered to align with calendar practices that are not part of Hindu tradition.
Sevayats Echo Traditional Concerns
Supporting the objection, senior sevayat Binayak Dasmohapatra said January 1 does not hold religious significance as the Hindu New Year, which traditionally falls on April 14. He stated that reopening the temple at midnight soon after Pahuda is against established ritual norms.
“Lord Jagannath is the presiding deity of Sanatan Hindus, and temple traditions must be upheld in letter and spirit. Keeping the Holy Trinity awake at night for January 1 celebrations is not appropriate and should be stopped,” Dasmohapatra said.
As discussions continue, temple authorities are expected to carefully balance crowd management needs with strict adherence to age-old rituals, ensuring that religious traditions remain intact while accommodating the growing number of devotees visiting the shrine during major occasions.
