Thousands of devotees have gathered in Puri for the sacred Nabajouban Darshan 2026, when Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra appear in their youthful form after completing the 15-day Anasara period.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced that the much-awaited darshan will be conducted in two phases with special arrangements for devotees.
Nabajouban Darshan timings
According to the SJTA, Parimanik (ticketed) Darshan will be held from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, followed by general darshan for devotees from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
The darshan will begin after the completion of the Mangala Alati and Abakasha Niti rituals inside the temple.
Entry arrangements for devotees
To ensure smooth crowd movement, the temple administration has designated separate entry gates for different categories of devotees.
General devotees will enter the temple through the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate), while devotees holding Parimanik Darshan tickets will be allowed entry through the Dakshina Dwara (Southern Gate).
Tight security in place
With a large number of pilgrims expected, authorities have implemented extensive security and crowd management measures across the temple town.
Police personnel, temple officials and servitors are working in coordination to regulate the movement of devotees. Security forces have been deployed at key locations along the Bada Danda (Grand Road), while CCTV cameras are being used for real-time surveillance and traffic management.
Religious significance of Nabajouban Darshan
Nabajouban Darshan is one of the most significant rituals in the annual Rath Yatra festivities.
The occasion marks the first public appearance of the sibling deities after they remain out of public view during the Anasara period, a symbolic phase of recuperation following the Snana Purnima ritual.
Devotees believe that witnessing the deities in their rejuvenated youthful form brings spiritual blessings and marks the beginning of the final preparations for the world-famous Rath Yatra.
The SJTA has appealed to devotees to follow the prescribed guidelines and cooperate with officials to ensure a safe and orderly darshan experience.
