Puri: A large number of devotees thronged the Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri to seek the blessings of the Lord on new year day, new dress code and a number of restrictions came into force at the 12th century shrine on Monday.
In view of the heavy rush, the temple administration made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth darshan by the devotees. While the night ritual got completed by 11 pm on Sunday, the temple was thrown open for the devotees after 1:40 am for early darshan.
As per Central Zone IG Asish Singh, darshan at the shrine started from 1:40 am with the cooperation of all, including the servitors. Devotees made a beeline since Sunday night and waited in the air-conditioned shed.
Sources said darshan has been going on smoothly and the rituals are being performed in a disciplined and timely manner. After darshan, the devotees are exiting the temple through the north gate.
Meanwhile, the new rule of ‘decent attire’ of devotees visiting the temple came into force on the opening day of 2024. As per the rules, no devotee will be allowed inside the shrine with ‘indecent attire’. They will have to cover their body fully before making their entry into the shrine, while those wearing half pants will not be allowed inside the temple.
Women devotees have been asked to wear sarees and salwars while males were advised to wear pants, shirts and kurta. Besides, children aged under 12 are allowed to wear half pants and shirts, but the grown-ups are advised not to wear tattered jeans, half pants and sleeves.
The Jagannath Temple Police and Pratihari servitors are checking and ensuring adherence to the rule.
It is worth mentioning that the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has already made the dress code compulsory for servitors from October 20, 2021. As per the dress code, all the servitors have been directed to wear dhoti, towel, and patta while performing puja.
This apart, gutkha and pan has also been banned inside the 12th century shrine from Monday. Nobody will be allowed to chew pan and gutkha inside the shrine.
Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Ranjan Kumar Das said all the devotees and servitors have been asked to abide by the rules, which will be strictly enforced in the shrine.