Puri Jagannath Temple Makes Special Arrangements for Elderly, Differently-Abled Devotees

Puri: Elderly and differently-abled devotees visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will be able to access darshan more conveniently, with the temple administration putting in place special arrangements at the shrine’s northern gate.

A ramp and railing connecting the northern gate Gumuta to the Kurma Bedha have already been completed to facilitate their movement. Specially trained volunteers will also be deployed to assist devotees and help them reach up to the Natamandap or Jagamohan.

Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Kumar Padhee, said an online mobile application is being developed to enable devotees to avail themselves of the facility. During the initial pilot phase, 50 elderly and differently-abled devotees will be able to use the service every day through the online and mobile application.

The temple administration is also exploring the engagement of trained volunteers from the Indian Red Cross Society and St. John Ambulance. The matter was discussed at a meeting chaired by the Governor. The SJTA has written to the Puri Collector, who is also the President of the District Red Cross Society, seeking the availability of trained volunteers.

Ensuring peaceful and orderly darshan of the sibling deities for all devotees remains the top priority of the temple administration.