Puri: Public darshan at Srimandira, the famous Lord Shree Jagannath Temple will remain closed for about 14.5 hours due to Lord Jagannath’s Snana Yatra.
The restriction will be in effect from 10:30 PM tonight to 1:00 PM tomorrow, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) informed today.
Preparations are underway in full swing for the famous annual Snana Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. During this period, devotees will not be allowed inside Srimandir for darshan.
Traffic and Security Arrangements
Considering the massive gathering expected on Jyestha Shukla Purnima, police have issued traffic restrictions and tightened security across Puri.
A dedicated route map has been prepared to ease traffic movement and prevent congestion in the city. Special parking areas have been marked on the outskirts for vehicles coming from outside.
To manage the heat and crowd, first-aid centres, ambulances, and medical teams will be on standby. Information centres will also be active to help trace missing persons or children.
Heavy Force Deployment
For law and order and crowd control, around 79 platoons of police force will be deployed across the city. Senior officers including SP, Additional SP, DSP, and Inspectors will be on duty.
Quick Action Teams, bomb disposal squads, and sniffer dog units will also be stationed to handle any emergency. Police are using technology to prevent crimes like pickpocketing and chain snatching during the festival.
The Integrated Command and Control Centre will monitor real-time movement across Puri city. Police personnel with binoculars will be posted atop high-rise buildings around Badadanda and Srimandir to keep watch on security arrangements. Special plainclothes police teams will mingle with devotees to prevent theft of ornaments and purses amid the crowd.
