New Darshan Guidelines at Shri Jagannath Temple from January 1st

As the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri welcomes devotees from far and wide, the temple administration is always seeking ways to improve the darshan experience. Starting January 1st, new guidelines will be implemented to streamline the flow of devotees, particularly within the inner sanctums. Let’s explore these new measures designed to offer a more organized and peaceful darshan experience.

New Guidelines for Inner Darshan

The new guidelines focus on managing the flow of devotees from the Saat Pahacha Dwara (Seven Steps Gate) to the Ghanti Dwara and Garada Dwara, the exit points. The changes are also designed to ensure separate entry and exit paths and to prioritize the needs of elderly, disabled, and women devotees.

Key changes include:

Natamandapa as the New Darshan Platform: Devotees will now have their darshan from the Natamandapa (hall of dance) instead of queuing near the outer katha (wooden structure). This is aimed at reducing crowding near the outer wooden barrier. This means the Natamandapa will act as the primary platform for darshan.
Outer Katha Access: Only the elderly and disabled individuals will have access to the outer katha. There will be no special platform for them, so they will be able to have darshan near the outside barrier.
Tiered Platform in Natamandapa: A tiered platform, similar to steps or a gallery, will be erected inside the Natamandapa to facilitate darshan. These platforms will be approximately two feet wide, with a four-inch height difference between each tier. This is designed to provide an unobstructed view of the deities.
Ramped Entry and Exit: Instead of queuing directly towards the Bada Deula from Garuda Stambha, devotees will now ascend through a ramp system leading to the platform in the Natamandapa. A controlled entry into six separate lines will be enforced at the Khunta Mandira, where three of the lines are for women, and the other three for men. The first ramp will be at four inches high from the ground level, and the final step, approximately 2 feet above the ground.
Smooth Exit: After darshan, devotees will descend directly using the ramps provided to them, without waiting at the exit. This is to ensure a smooth flow and minimize congestion. Under normal circumstances, they are expected to exit, but when there is not much crowd, more time can be spent near the deities.
Expected Flow: The temple administration anticipates that every 30 seconds, one devotee will exit the line. This means that around 120 devotees will exit each line every hour. Consequently, it is estimated that approximately 720 devotees, across all six queues will complete their darshan in an hour. This is designed to accommodate a maximum of 800 devotees an hour.
Removable Platform for Bhog: The tiered platform in the Natamandapa will be removable during the bhog (offering) times to respect tradition, as the Pujapanda servitors have pointed out. The platforms will be made with wheeled trolleys that allow them to be easily removed and stored. The steps will be divided into two or three parts for easy removal.
No Prior Research: The administration has noted that up until now, there has been no research into how many devotees can be accommodated within the Natamandapa and no accurate record of the number of devotees who visit within a given hour in the past.
Implementation: These new guidelines will be implemented once the administration has addressed any concerns that may arise during the meeting. It is expected to be implemented on January 1st.
Focus on Improvements: While the administration acknowledges that this does not guarantee complete satisfaction, it is hoped that this arrangement will be better than past practices. The administration is also aware that this might cause disruptions to the traditional practices followed by servitors in the Natamandapa and to mitigate that, they might be compensated financially.

Key Aspects of the New Guidelines

Prioritization of elderly, disabled, and women devotees with separate paths.
A new, tiered platform system to ensure a better viewing experience for devotees inside the Natamandapa.
A smooth flow of devotees, with special attention paid to the entry and exit to minimize congestion.
An increased capacity of darshan, with an estimated 800 devotees being able to have darshan in an hour.
The platform in Natamandapa will be removable during the Bhog time, to maintain the temple’s traditions.

A Commitment to Devotion and Order

These new guidelines reflect the Shri Jagannath Temple’s commitment to ensuring a smoother, more organized, and more comfortable darshan experience. They also emphasize the delicate balance that the temple administration tries to strike between accommodating the huge number of devotees that visit the temple daily, while maintaining the sacred traditions of the Shri Mandir.

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