Puri’s Shree Jagannath Temple Overflows with Devotees Post Lockdown

Rising Devotion at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri Following the Removal of COVID-19 Restrictions

The sacred shrine of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri has witnessed an incredible influx of worshipers since all four gates were reopened. As a result of the influx, which was particularly noticeable on June 12 when the BJP government was sworn in, extra police officers have been sent to manage the crowd.

Now that the temple is fully opened, the scene resembles a stampede. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, entry was restricted by a single gate. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan have taken steps to ensure public safety and the smooth conduct of upcoming celebrations like Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra.

Despite crowd control efforts, including the deployment of 30 platoons of police, devotees have reported long waits and discomfort due to overcrowding. The temple administration anticipates a further increase in footfall as the Rath Yatra approaches on July 7.

The temple’s recent Sunday saw around two lakh visitors, with many feeling suffocated due to the dense crowds. During the Raja Holiday rush, devotees such as Harihara Kar and Ramakanta Das expressed differing opinions on the open gates policy and how it was implemented.

While DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi is in charge of the crowd management strategy, authorities are on guard to avoid any unfortunate incidents during this busy time of day.