As the New Year approaches, devotees throng the shrine in large numbers. Pilgrims from across the state and country are visiting to seek the Lord’s blessings. Authorities have barricaded Market Street to ensure an orderly darshan experience.
The temple administration has announced that on December 31 and January 1, devotees will only enter through the Lion Gate. The other three gates will serve exclusively as exits. To manage the massive crowd, officials have deployed 60 platoons of police in Puri.
Security arrangements inside the temple premises include dividing police into two units and positioning an anti-snatching team in crowded areas. Police have set up blockades at key locations, while a special outpost has been established on the beach to monitor the situation closely.
Since morning, heavy fog has enveloped Puri, shrouding the temple in a misty blanket. The dense fog obscured the Nila Chakra and made it difficult for devotees to see the temple from a distance.
Despite the challenges, authorities are working tirelessly to ensure a safe and smooth experience for all visitors during the year-end celebrations.