The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has revised parking charges at its Bhakta Nivas facilities in Puri, increasing the fee for four-wheelers to ₹500 for a 24-hour period, inclusive of 18 per cent GST. The revised rate will come into effect from January 7, 2026, and will remain applicable until further orders, according to an official notification issued by the temple administration.
Under the new arrangement, devotees parking their four-wheelers at any of the four Bhakta Nivas managed by the Srimandir administration will have to pay the enhanced fee. The revised parking charges will be applicable at Gundicha Bhakta Nivas, Niladri Bhakta Nivas, Purushottam Bhakta Nivas and Nilachal Bhakta Nivas, which are among the most sought-after accommodation facilities for pilgrims visiting the holy town.
The notification, issued by the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, stated that the Assistant Managers in charge of the respective Bhakta Nivas have been directed to ensure strict collection of the revised parking fee from the specified date. The order clearly mentions that the amount covers parking of a four-wheeler for up to 24 hours within the premises of the Bhakta Nivas.
However, the decision has raised questions within the temple’s managing committee, with at least one member stating that the matter was not discussed or approved during any official meeting. Jagannath Pujapanda, a member of the managing committee, said they were unaware of the decision. He added that no discussion regarding an increase in parking charges was held during committee meetings, and suggested that officials managing the Bhakta Nivas would be better placed to explain the rationale behind the hike.
The revision of parking fees comes at a time when Puri is witnessing a steady increase in the number of pilgrims throughout the year, particularly during festivals, special rituals and peak tourist seasons. With rising vehicular inflow and limited parking space in and around the temple town, demand for organized parking facilities at temple-managed accommodations has grown significantly.
While the SJTA has not officially cited the reasons for the hike, sources indicated that increased maintenance costs, better management of parking infrastructure and regulation of vehicle congestion could be among the factors behind the decision. The move is expected to impact pilgrims arriving in private vehicles, especially families and groups opting to stay at Bhakta Nivas during their visit to the Srimandir.
As the revised charges come into force, clarity is awaited on whether the managing committee will formally review the decision or issue further guidelines regarding parking management at temple-run facilities in Puri.
