Rituals for the grand opening of the Sreemandir Parikrama Prakalpa, also known as the temple heritage corridor project, have initiated in Puri. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, a key figure in the religious proceedings, has extended invitations to priests for the upcoming ‘Maha Yagna,’ scheduled to commence on January 15.
The traditional invitation of priests took place at the Gajapati Maharaja’s palace, ‘Sri Nahar,’ where betel nuts were presented to the invitees. Following this, Saturday will witness the rituals of ‘Ankuropan’ and ‘Ankur Puja,’ leading up to ‘Yajna Adhibas’ on Sunday, as reported by PTI.
On January 15, an ‘Akhand Deepa’ will be positioned at the yagna site, marking the beginning of the three-day religious ceremony conducted by priests. The culmination of puja rituals is set for January 17, coinciding with the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who will officially open the corridor for devotees.
A podium is currently under construction at Utterparswa Mutt, serving as the platform from which Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will address the gathered devotees. The inaugural ceremony will feature cultural performances by troupes and the traditional blowing of conch shells.
In an effort to make the event more inclusive, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has extended invitations to representatives from 90 religious shrines and institutions across the country.
With an anticipated turnout of around five lakh devotees for the inaugural ceremony on January 17, stringent security arrangements have been implemented in Puri. A five-layer security setup is in place, covering the temple town, the 12th-century shrine, and the beach area.
Drawing parallels to security measures during the Rath Yatra, officials have implemented a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety of attendees. IG (central range) Ashish Singh and Puri Superintendent of Police Kanwar Vishal Singh have briefed police officers on their duties and responsibilities.
A significant number of security personnel will be deployed around the temple, with special coverage provided to VVIPs attending the ceremony. Over 44 platoons of police, each comprising 30 personnel, will manage security, law and order, and traffic control from January 12 to 16. Additionally, 45 police officers will supervise these arrangements.
Security personnel will be positioned inside the temple to facilitate smooth ‘darshan,’ while adequate deployment is planned at the four temple gates. The comprehensive security plan aims to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for the grand opening of the Sreemandir Parikrama Prakalpa in Puri.
