Puri Jagannath Temple will open its doors at 2 am on January 1, 2026, allowing devotees to seek blessings from Lord Jagannath and his siblings.
Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Kumar Padhee, confirmed the decision.
According to Padhee, the Pahili Bhoga ritual timetable has already been finalised. The Ratri Pahuda ritual will take place at 11 pm on December 31, followed by the Dwaraphita ritual at 2 am on January 1. The early opening aims to accommodate the large crowd expected during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Temple authorities have made extensive arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe experience for devotees. The initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to facilitating hassle-free darshan during peak festive hours.
Meanwhile, Puri police issued a traffic advisory ahead of Zero Hour celebrations on December 31 and the New Year 2026. To manage the influx of visitors, 60 platoons of police personnel will be deployed across the city. The advisory emphasises smooth traffic flow and effective crowd management to maintain order during the celebrations.
