BHUBANESWAR: A surge in devotees’ footfall at Shree Jagannath temple during the ongoing Kartika month has prompted the temple authorities to allow devotees’ entry into the shrine only through the Lions’ Gate during ‘Panchuka’ from November 2 to 5.
Since the beginning of the holy month of Kartika, the 12th century shrine has been witnessing a three-fold rise in the number of devotees.
While the crowd had weakened due to the cyclone threat in the last two days, it surged again on Tuesday. Such is the situation that the shrine remains crowded even at 12 midnight.
Puri collector Dibyajyoti Parida said the move has been taken to prevent a stampede-like situation. Entry will be restricted through the other three gates of the shrine. However, exit will not be allowed through the Lions’ Gate for which devotees can use the other three gates to step out of the temple, he added.
Parida, however, clarified that such restrictions do not apply for temple servitors. “A Habisyali corridor has been facilitated through which elderly women observing the Kartika month are being taken into the shrine every day. Besides, help centres have been set up at all four gates for devotees,” he said.
The collector further added that the length of barricades along Badadanda has been increased till Market Chhak to accommodate the surge of devotees. “The seven-lane barricading system ends at the Lions’ Gate. Furthermore, volunteers and Jagannath Temple police (JTP) will work in shifts to assist the elderly, differently-abled, and those facing health issues while standing in queues. Drinking water supply facilities will be strategically placed by the local administration to cater to the needs of the pilgrims.
Meanwhile, resentment is brewing among devotees and servitors over extended queues outside the shrine. On Tuesday, an elderly devotee from Delhi collapsed near Satapahacha after complaining of uneasiness due to the long waiting period. Doctors declared him brought dead at the Puri hospital.
“The barricading system may have streamlined the crowd but it has not put an end to the long duration of wait to enter Srimandir. Besides, when rituals inside the shrine are underway, devotees have to wait outside for a very long time. They are being allowed to enter in small batches which makes the elderly devotees and children restless,” said Binayak Dasmohapatra, a senior servitor.
The collector, however, said the barricading provision has been put in place to allow entry of the large crowd into the shrine in a coordinated fashion and without any hassles. “For all the elderly devotees, we are facilitating assistance through volunteers, JTPs and administrative personnel,” he added.