A tense situation unfolded inside theShree Jagannath Templeon Monday following a dispute over barricaded darshan arrangements, resulting in moments of chaos and disruption within the sacred premises.
According to sources, the disagreement escalated rapidly, leading to incidents of pushing and jostling. The clash reportedly involved members of the Srimandir Special Security Force, temple servitors, Jagannath Temple Police (JTP) personnel, and security commanders. The situation became particularly serious near the Satapahacha area, where the barricades turned into the focal point of the dispute, creating an uneasy atmosphere inside the temple.
In response to the incident, the Srimandir administration convened a high-level meeting at its office under the chairmanship of Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee. The meeting was attended by the Puri Superintendent of Police, the District Collector, and senior officials of the Special Security Force to assess the situation and review existing crowd management arrangements.
The incident has raised concerns over coordination and crowd control within the temple premises, especially during peak darshan hours. The administration is deliberating corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future and to ensure smooth, orderly, and dignified darshan for devotees.
