Puri: The historic Gundicha Temple in Puri, which has remained closed to devotees since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, is set to reopen its doors to the public on Wednesday after a gap of nearly six years.
The decision to resume public darshan was taken by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration after development and improvement works were completed inside the temple premises.
Before announcing the reopening, temple authorities inspected the premises and reviewed the arrangements made to ensure a smooth experience for devotees.
Gundicha Temple to Welcome Devotees Again
The reopening marks the return of public access to one of Puri’s important religious sites after a prolonged closure.
Devotees will once again be able to enter the temple premises and offer prayers following the completion of the renovation and improvement works.
Temple officials conducted a detailed inspection before allowing public entry. The inspection focused on the condition of the premises and the facilities arranged for visitors.
₹10 Entry Fee for Devotees
According to the decision of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, devotees visiting Gundicha Temple will have to pay an entry fee of ₹10.
However, the administration has decided that senior citizens and children will be allowed free entry for darshan.
The entry system has been introduced as part of the arrangements for managing visitor movement and ensuring orderly access to the temple.
Free Storage for Shoes and Mobile Phones
The temple administration has also introduced facilities aimed at making the visit more convenient for devotees.
Visitors will have access to free storage facilities for shoes and mobile phones while they are inside the temple premises.
The arrangements are expected to help devotees avoid carrying restricted or unnecessary items during darshan.
Ramp Facility for Differently-Abled Devotees
Special arrangements have also been made to improve accessibility for differently-abled devotees.
A ramp facility has been provided at the temple to make movement easier and enable visitors with mobility difficulties to access the premises more conveniently.
The facility is part of the administration’s efforts to make the reopened temple more accessible to different categories of visitors.
Officials Inspect Arrangements Before Reopening
Before reopening the temple, the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple, members of the Managing Committee and other administrative officials visited the premises.
The officials examined the condition of the temple following the development work and reviewed facilities intended for devotees.
The inspection also covered arrangements related to visitor movement and accessibility.
Following the assessment, the temple administration cleared the premises for reopening and public darshan.
Six-Year Closure Comes to an End
The reopening brings an end to the long closure of Gundicha Temple, which began during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
With the temple now scheduled to welcome devotees again, the administration has put in place measures covering entry, storage facilities and accessibility.
Devotees visiting the temple from Wednesday will therefore be able to resume darshan, with the ₹10 entry fee applicable to general visitors and free entry available for senior citizens and children.
