No Naba Jouban Darshan for Devotees at Puri’s Shree Jagannath Temple This Year

Puri:  Devotees will not be allowed to have the Naba Jouban darshan of Lord Jagannath and His siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri this year. This decision was made today at a meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee.

The rare convergence of Gundicha Yatra—the first leg of the Rath Yatra—and Naba Jouban darshan and Netra Utsav on July 7 has prompted the committee to take this step. The convergence is expected to draw an exceptionally large crowd to the temple, raising concerns about managing the rituals smoothly and safely.

Madhab Chandra Puja Panda, a member of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, stated, “Since Gundicha Yatra and Naba Jouban darshan are falling on the same day, devotees will not be allowed into the temple for darshan. Only temple officials and sevayats will be allowed to have darshan and perform rituals. The ticketed darshan during Pahandi has been cancelled. This has been done keeping in mind the smooth and timely conduct of rituals. Devotees can have darshan of the deities at the Singha Dwar when they come out of the temple premises.”

The temple managing committee has also decided to cancel Pahandi tickets and restrict entry to the Shree Jagannath Temple. This measure is intended to ensure the smooth performance of rituals and manage the expected large turnout of devotees effectively.

Vir Vikram Yadav, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, added, “The temple managing committee in its meeting today approved the ritual schedule and arrangements for the upcoming world-famous Rath Yatra of Mahaprabhu, which was finalized in the Chhatisa Nijog meeting yesterday.”

The Rath Yatra, an annual event of great significance, attracts millions of devotees from across the globe. This year’s arrangements aim to maintain the sanctity and orderliness of the rituals while accommodating the safety and security of all participants.

As the deities are brought out of the temple premises, devotees will have the opportunity to view them at the Singha Dwar.