In a bid to manage the increasing number of devotees visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple, the temple administration is considering the introduction of slot booking for darshan of the sibling deities. This initiative aims to streamline the flow of visitors and reduce waiting times, enhancing the overall experience for devotees. Speaking to a local channel, Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deba revealed that the proposal for online registration of darshan slots is currently in its initial stages. This system is expected to effectively manage the influx of visitors to the temple. By allowing devotees to book specific times for darshan, the administration hopes to minimize the waiting period, which can sometimes extend up to three hours. Additionally, devotees will have the flexibility to explore other places in the city while they wait for their designated slot.
The Gajapati maharaja highlighted the necessity of regulating the flow of devotees, which has surged post-COVID-19 and following the inauguration of the Parikrama Prakalpa through the four gates of the 12th-century shrine. To address this, a proposal was made during the previous regime to establish a large reception center near the temple. This center, designed to accommodate 2,000-3,000 devotees, will be equipped with all necessary facilities, including a cloakroom. After screening, devotees will be allowed to enter the temple in a controlled manner to prevent overcrowding.
Another significant aspect of the proposal is the development of a mobile app for slot-wise entry into the shrine. This app will enable devotees to reserve their darshan slots in advance. The Gajapati explained, “Suppose you want a slot at 10 am but due to high demand, you are given a 1 pm slot. You can then visit other places in the meantime and enter the reception center at the given time. From there, devotees can proceed for darshan.” The mobile app proposal is aimed at making the booking process convenient and efficient, allowing devotees to plan their visit better and avoid unnecessary waiting.
In a bid to manage the increasing number of devotees visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple, the temple administration is considering the introduction of slot booking for darshan of the sibling deities. This initiative aims to streamline the flow of visitors and reduce waiting times, enhancing the overall experience for devotees. Speaking to a local channel, Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deba revealed that the proposal for online registration of darshan slots is currently in its initial stages. This system is expected to effectively manage the influx of visitors to the temple. By allowing devotees to book specific times for darshan, the administration hopes to minimize the waiting period, which can sometimes extend up to three hours. Additionally, devotees will have the flexibility to explore other places in the city while they wait for their designated slot.
The Gajapati maharaja highlighted the necessity of regulating the flow of devotees, which has surged post-COVID-19 and following the inauguration of the Parikrama Prakalpa through the four gates of the 12th-century shrine. To address this, a proposal was made during the previous regime to establish a large reception center near the temple. This center, designed to accommodate 2,000-3,000 devotees, will be equipped with all necessary facilities, including a cloakroom. After screening, devotees will be allowed to enter the temple in a controlled manner to prevent overcrowding.
Another significant aspect of the proposal is the development of a mobile app for slot-wise entry into the shrine. This app will enable devotees to reserve their darshan slots in advance. The Gajapati explained, “Suppose you want a slot at 10 am but due to high demand, you are given a 1 pm slot. You can then visit other places in the meantime and enter the reception center at the given time. From there, devotees can proceed for darshan.” The mobile app proposal is aimed at making the booking process convenient and efficient, allowing devotees to plan their visit better and avoid unnecessary waiting.
