With the New Year fast approaching, the holy town of Puri is witnessing a steady surge in the arrival of devotees, resulting in long queues outside the Srimandir for darshan of Lord Jagannath. The pilgrim influx has been rising consistently over the past few days, prompting the district administration to step up crowd management and security measures across the city.
Officials expect the footfall to peak further on December 31 and January 1, days that traditionally draw massive crowds to the Jagannath Temple as devotees begin the New Year with prayers to the Sibling Deities.
Crowd Management Measures Intensified
To ensure smooth movement of pilgrims and prevent overcrowding, the administration has put in place extensive barricading arrangements along key access routes. Barricades have reportedly been installed from Srinar to Bagala Dharmashala to regulate the flow of devotees heading towards the Srimandir.
Devotees are being allowed entry into the temple in a phased and batch-wise manner to maintain order and reduce congestion inside the temple premises. Officials said these measures are aimed at ensuring a safe and hassle-free darshan experience amid the rising rush.
Enhanced Security Across Pilgrim Town
Security has been significantly tightened in anticipation of the New Year crowd. As part of the special arrangements, as many as 25 platoons of police force, along with senior officers, will be deployed across Puri. Security personnel have been stationed at strategic points, including the Srimandir, Grand Road (Bada Danda), and the sea beach area, to manage crowds and maintain law and order.
Police teams are also assisting devotees, monitoring crowd movement, and remaining on high alert to respond promptly to any untoward incidents. Surveillance has been strengthened to ensure public safety during the festive period.
Heavy Footfall Continues
Thousands of devotees are arriving in Puri daily to seek blessings of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. On Friday morning, large numbers of pilgrims were seen standing in long queues from the early hours, patiently waiting for their turn to enter the Srimandir.
The administration has appealed to devotees to cooperate with authorities, follow crowd control instructions and plan their visit in advance to avoid inconvenience. With the New Year celebrations approaching, officials remain focused on ensuring a smooth, safe and spiritually fulfilling experience for all visitors to the holy town.
