Puri: To enhance the experience of devotees visiting Jagannath Temple during the New Year, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced a trial run of the queue system, known as dhadi darshan, either on December 28 or December 29. This decision was made following a meeting between SJTA officials, district administration, police, and senior members of the Pratihari Nijog.
The trial run aims to evaluate the efficiency of the new system and ensure a smoother darshan process for devotees. Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Chief Administrator of SJTA, stated that the final implementation date will be determined after the success of this trial run.
Dr. Padhee said, “We held discussions with senior members of Pratihari Nijog to explore the implementation of a queue system. The trial run is scheduled for either December 28 or 29. With a large influx of devotees expected, we want to ensure a seamless experience before moving forward with a full implementation.”
He further noted, “Our primary concern is to maintain the integrity of daily rituals for the sibling deities. While some adjustments may be necessary, such as shifting the Hundi (donation box), we require state government approval as outlined in the Shree Jagannath Act. Additionally, we will create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to safeguard the traditions and rituals of Lord Jagannath and His siblings.”
A dedicated committee, supervised by the District Collector, will oversee the trial run and gather feedback for further improvements. Temple servitors have expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of a smoother darshan experience for all devotees.
Special arrangements are also being made for women, children, the elderly, and differently-abled individuals to ensure an inclusive and comfortable darshan experience. Previously scheduled for December 30 and 31, the trial run has been advanced to the proposed dates.
