Heavy crowding was observed at Puri’s Srimandir on Sunday as a large number of devotees thronged the holy shrine for darshan of Lord Jagannath.

Long queues of pilgrims stretched along the Bada Danda, creating a packed yet devotional atmosphere around the temple. Devotees patiently waited for several hours, chanting prayers while seeking a glimpse of the deities.

Many shared emotional accounts of their visit. A pilgrim from Bihar said his family had long wished to visit the shrine. “We will first take a glimpse of the Lord and then visit other places,” he said. Another devotee, who came with his son, expressed faith in the deity’s blessings, hoping for his son’s recovery from speech difficulties. A third pilgrim declared, “We will have darshan even if we have to stand here longer than usual.”

The rush intensified on Sunday, with devotees arriving from nearby districts as well as from other states. Adequate police personnel and temple administration staff were deployed to manage the crowd and ensure smooth movement of pilgrims.

Despite long waiting hours, devotees remained steadfast, demonstrating deep faith and devotion at the revered shrine.