Bhubaneswar, December 31: Puri is set for a surge of devotees as thousands plan to begin the New Year with darshan of Lord Jagannath.

In anticipation of the rush, extensive arrangements for crowd management and safety have been made.

Lord Jagannath’s pahuda will begin at 11 pm on Thursday, followed by the Dwaraphita ritual at 2 am. Devotees can start darshan thereafter.

Continuous crowd movement is expected from early New Year’s Day.

Over 70 platoons of security personnel will be deployed, with the city under 24/7 CCTV surveillance. Entry to Srimandir is restricted to Singhadwara, and exits will be through other gates. Barricades will regulate the flow up to Market Chhak.

Strict checks are in place at entry points, and parking management is a priority. Devotees from Brahmagiri are advised to use Sterling Chhak for parking. Those from Konark can park at Talabania, Helipad, or ITI Parking. Vehicles from Cuttack–Bhubaneswar are directed to use Batagaon New Bypass, with parking available at various locations.

Government transport and autorickshaws will be available for smooth access to Srimandir.