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Puri Braces for Snan Purnima as Major Security and Crowd Measures Are Put in Place

Authorities have limited public darshan and mobilised police, surveillance and emergency teams to manage the large pilgrim turnout.

Overview

  • The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has suspended public darshan for roughly 15 hours to prepare for Snan/Devasnana Purnima on June 29 so priests can perform the ceremonial bathing of the deities.
  • Odisha Police finalised a six-point security plan that includes about 79 platoons, Quick Action Teams, sniffer dogs, rooftop surveillance, Integrated Command and Control Centre monitoring and marine security.
  • Officials expect roughly three to four lakh devotees for the Snan Purnima event and have planned one-way pedestrian flows, traffic diversions, designated parking zones and on-site help desks and medical centres to reduce congestion.
  • Work on the three wooden chariots began on Akshaya Tritiya following hereditary rituals, and organisers say the Rath Yatra will follow in mid-July as teams continue finalising crowd and emergency arrangements.
  • After the bathing ritual the deities enter a roughly 14–15 day Anasara seclusion when only temple servitors and physicians attend them, a pause that both drives the Snan Purnima rush and requires sustained multiagency coordination to protect pilgrims and local services.