After nearly a year of anticipation and repeated public appeals, the Odisha government has finally announced the commencement of Dhadi Darshan—a structured queue system for devotees visiting the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan confirmed that the system will be operational from September 15, just ahead of the auspicious Kartik month, which draws lakhs of pilgrims to the holy city.
Despite earlier assurances that the queue system would be implemented from January, the plan remained stalled, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among devotees. While external queue arrangements were in place, the lack of an organised system inside the temple premises continued to cause congestion and discomfort.
The newly announced Dhadi Darshan will streamline entry through the Sata Pahacha (Seven Steps) and facilitate exits via Ghanta Dwara for women and senior citizens, and Garada Dwara for male devotees. This gender-sensitive and age-considerate approach aims to enhance accessibility and safety.
Minister Harichandan stated that a management committee will be formed within 3–4 days, followed by its first meeting and the relocation of the temple’s donation box (hundi), after which the queue system will be activated. The temple administration is reportedly prepared for swift execution.
The initiative is expected to significantly improve crowd control and ensure smoother darshan experiences, especially for elderly and female devotees. With Kartik month approaching, the timing of this rollout is seen as critical to managing the surge in footfall.
