By Anurjay Dhal
BHUBANESWAR: Amid unprecedented security measures and exemplary traffic provisions, tens of thousands of devotees from across the globe were on Monday gathered at pilgrimage city of Puri, 60 km away from State Capital of Bhubaneswar in eastern Indian State of Odisha to witness the Nabajoubana Darshan of Lord Jagannath and His siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra inside the 12th century old shrine.
As per the customary rituals, ‘Chaka Apasara Niti’ was performed at around 6.35 am followed by Mangala Arati at 6.45 am, Abakash Pujatha and Mailama at 6.50 am, Abakash Puja began at 6.55 am and ended at 7.15 am, Dasa Abatara Dian Bahuda Bije at 7.20 am, Tati Pithiba at 7.25 am, Paramanik Darshan started at 7.30 am and continued till 8 am.
While public darshan started at 8 am and continued till 11.20 am. As many as 7000 tickets were sold for the Paramanik Darshan while the price of each was Rs 100.
The Snana Jatra of Shree Lord Jagannatha and His siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra was held on June 4, following which the deities were kept away from public view for 14 days (Anasara period). On Monday , the deities are giving darshan in fresh-faced form after getting cured from fever.
No vehicle will be allowed to the Grand Road during Ratha Jatra and Bahuda Jatra. The Grand Road and all others connecting roads will be declared as no parking zones.
All the inter-state tourist buses and local tourist buses will stop and park at Malatipatpur Bus Stand. All the regular passenger carrying buses will be allowed up to Talabania Temporary Bus Stand via Malatipatapur ROB, Toshali Sands, Grid Station Chhak and Bhudan Chhaka.
Puri Town Shuttle Buses/ Auto Rickshaw will be allowed from Talabania to Zilla School Chhaka via Sunara Gouranga Chhaka, BNR Hotel Chhaka, Youth Hostel Chhaka and Nilachala Urban Hata. Their return will be via Zilla school chhaka to Helipad via Ghodabazar, Rama Mandir, Odisha Bakery, Sadar Block office for Buses and via Mangala temple for Auto rickshaw.
Another shuttle services will be available from Malatipatapur Bus Stand to Atharanala in a to-and-from basis.
Two wheelers will avail parking at Jagannath Ballav, Masanichandi, Matitota Parking, Nilachala Ashok and Blue Flag beach. All vehicles will be diverted accordingly.
All LMV/Cars/SUVs will avail parking facilities at the parking places at Indoor Stadium, Helipad, Sanskrit University Parking, ITI College Parking, Nalifield and Yatrika. They will be diverted as per availability of space in parking places accordingly.
For smooth darshan of the Lords by devotees, some shuttle services have been implemented from Talabania to Zilla school Chhaka and From Malatipatapur to Atharanala.
Regulation of vehicular Traffic shall be imposed from 00:00 hrs on 19.06.2023 to 00:00 hrs on 21.06.2023 and from 00:00 hrs on 28.06.2023 to 00:00 hrs on 29.06.2023 as per traffic mobility plan.
For smooth darshan of the Lords by devotees, no vehicle zones will be ensured in the place from Atharanala Chhaka to Hospital Chhaka from Hospital Chhaka to Subash Bose Crossing.
Anyone requiring any assistance – 24×7 help line number Puri Police- 6370967100/06752-232551 is available for assistance.
Police personnel deployed in the duty will perform their duty with smile face and will work with diligence for enabling for a people friendly environment.
The administration will arrange parking lots for tourist buses at five places in the Holy City during the Car Festival. The tourist buses will be parked at Malatipatpur, a nearby khondalite stone stockyard, Talabania, Horticulture department office near Bai Das Nagar and Nagapatna.
However, regular buses will be allowed to a bus stand near Srigundicha temple.Devotees will be allowed to park their four-wheelers at 15 places in Puri city including an open place near Lokanath temple, near Yatrika guesthouse, Blue Flag beach, SCS College ground, Bhoodan Nagar, Helipad area, ITI College ground and Neelachal Ashoka Hotel ground.
Two-wheelers can park at SCS College ground, Sushama Garden, Jagannath Ballav, Masanichandi Square, Floris India and Krushak Bazar.
