Odisha government plans online darshan slot booking at Jagannath Temple Puri to ease crowd management and improve devotee experience
OdishaPlus Bureau
Devotees visiting the Jagannath temple in Puri may soon find relief from the lengthy queues they currently face. The Odisha government is planning to implement an online slot booking system aimed at improving crowd management and enhancing the darshan experience, as stated by law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Wednesday.
“We are in the process of developing the details for the darshan slot booking service. Conversations have already taken place with the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, and this issue will soon be presented to the temple managing committee,” Harichandan remarked.
With the proposed system, devotees will be able to book their darshan slots in advance and arrive at the temple at their scheduled time. They will be placed in a designated holding area before being granted access to the sanctum. The minister highlighted that this initiative is designed to alleviate overcrowding, manage visitor flow, and provide a more organized and spiritually enriching darshan experience. “The traditional queue system will remain in place alongside the new online option, which will be launched on a trial basis,” the minister added.
The government is progressing with initiatives to overhaul the current queue system. Six elevated ramps — each measuring 16 feet long and 4 feet wide — will be constructed in the Nata Mandap and Jagamohan regions, positioned directly opposite the sanctum sanctorum.
This design will elevate the eye level of devotees, providing clearer views of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from a distance. “Furthermore, tenders have been issued for the installation of an air-conditioning system at Nata Mandap to improve the comfort of devotees,” stated the minister.
The 12th-century shrine has experienced an increase in visitors since the BJP government reopened all four temple doors on June 13, 2024, a day after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi took his oath. Three doors had been closed since 2020, leading to difficulties for devotees. The reopening of these doors was a significant pre-election commitment of the BJP. On regular days, the temple accommodates approximately 50,000 to 60,000 visitors, but this number frequently surpasses 100,000 on weekends, resulting in challenges for crowd management and inconvenience for devotees.
To address the influx, the government is implementing various strategies. We are also striving to ensure smooth darshan for residents of Puri, as well as for saints, seers, and elderly or physically-challenged devotees,” added Harichandan.