Puri: The district administration and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) have made elaborate arrangements for smooth darshan of deities during Panchaka, a five-day ritual that marks the culmination of the holy month of Kartik.
The SJTA is expecting the congregation of a huge number of devotees at Srimandir during Panchaka that begins November 19.
As per Srimandir tradition, Lord Jagannath would be adorned with the Laxminarayan Besa November 19, Bankachuda Besa November 20, Tribikrama Besa November 21, Laxminrusingha Besa November 22 and Rajarajeswar Besa or Sunabesa November 23.
The temple administration has put up temporary barricades near the Lions’ Gate of Srimandir to manage the crowd. SJTA sources said the devotees would be allowed to enter the shrine through the Lions’ Gate. “Devotees can reach the Baharakatha (outer circle) on the temple premises by passing through Lions’ Gate, Baishi Pahacha, Kirtan Chakada and Satapahach. They would be asked to reach the Bhitarakatha (inner circle) by passing through Jay-Bijay gate and Jali gate,” said an official of SJTA.
According to sources in the district administration, altogether 16 platoons of armed police personnel would be deployed in and around Srimandir and some other strategic places in the Holy City to maintain law and order.
According to sources, four additional superintendents of police, seven deputy superintendents of police, 12 inspectors and 56 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors would be deployed to supervise security aspects during Panchaka ritual. “We may deploy additional forces to deal with the heavy crowd on the day of Kartik Purnima November 23. We have security arrangements to check snatching and pick pocketing near the shrine,” said DSP Umakanta Mallick.
The administration has also prepared a blueprint to manage traffic during Panchaka ritual. Four wheelers would be parked at Jagannath Ballav mutt, old jail ground, Saradhabali, District High School, Majana Jaga and Talabania. “Two wheelers can be parked on both sides of the Grand Road,” Mallick said.
According to the DSP, the administration would beef up security on the beach to avoid any untoward incident.