Bhubaneswar: A significant number of devotees visited Puri’s Jagannath temple on the second day of ‘Panchuka Brata’ on Monday. Long queues formed before the ‘Singha Dwar’ along Grand Road. According to a police officer, entry to the temple is permitted only through the ‘Lion’s Gate,’ with exits through the other three gates. To manage the flow of devotees, special barricades were established from Market Chhaka leading to the Singha Dwar. This year, the ‘Panchuka Brata’ (the last five days of the Hindu month of Kartika) is being observed for four days instead of the typical five days. On Sunday, chaotic scenes unfolded at the 12th-century shrine, as some individuals breached the barricades to gain entry.
Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan reported that approximately 200,000 devotees had congregated at the temple, creating a chaotic environment, although he confirmed there was no stampede-like incident. He noted, “Around 4,000 to 4,500 individuals can be accommodated in the temple simultaneously. When 200,000 people gather, it will take longer to have a darshan.” Harichandan urged devotees to exercise patience while visiting the Jagannath temple. Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee stated that numerous rituals are being performed in the temple for ‘Panchuka Brata.’ “Given the influx of visitors, certain restrictions are in place. Therefore, we ask the public to adhere to the instructions from the temple administration,” Padhee emphasized.
Additionally, security measures have been enhanced to ensure law and order. DGP Y B Khurania visited the temple on Sunday evening, while Additional DGP Soumendra Priyadarshi assessed security arrangements on Monday. Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh indicated that crowd management is proceeding smoothly and everything remains under control. Police personnel have been stationed both inside and outside the temple, and security has been intensified at major temples, beaches, and other crowded locations.