Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced that devotees will be allowed to enter the Srimandir through all four gates, starting Saturday, November 16. The decision was made following a meeting chaired by Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, which focused on arrangements for darshan after the Kartik month. The meeting was attended by the Collector, Superintendent of Police, and senior police officers.
According to the announcement, devotees will be permitted to enter the temple through any of the four gates, but they must exit through three gates, with the Singh Dwar (Lion Gate) being restricted for exit. The restriction on exit through the Singh Dwar is in place to manage crowd movement and ensure safety within the temple premises.
In a special provision, servitors and their families will be allowed to both enter and exit through all gates, as part of the temple’s ongoing efforts to facilitate smoother access for those closely associated with the temple.
The SJTA further communicated that a decision regarding special darshan arrangements at the Nata Mandap is still pending and will be finalized after further consultation with the temple management committee.
This move is expected to streamline the flow of devotees, allowing for better crowd management and enhancing the overall experience for those visiting the temple.