Puri, August 23: In a significant move aimed at ensuring comfort and care for mothers and infants, the Shree Jagannath Temple administration has announced the establishment of a dedicated baby feeding center within the temple premises. The facility will be set up near the administrative branch office and will prioritize privacy, hygiene, and comfort for nursing mothers and their babies.
The initiative, led by Chief Administrator Dr. Aravind Padhee, seeks to address the long-standing demand for a secure and private space for breastfeeding mothers who visit the temple in large numbers daily. The decision follows a joint discussion involving senior officials, including outgoing Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra, Ritual Administrator Jitendra Sahu, Senior Supervisor Baxi Pratihari, and Assistant Administrator Subhashree Suchismita.
The location for the center has already been finalized, and immediate steps are being taken to operationalize the facility. A dedicated female assistant will be appointed to support and assist mothers at the center.
With thousands of devotees visiting the temple every day—many of them women accompanied by infants—the move is being hailed as a progressive step towards inclusive and responsible temple management. The temple administration has assured that the center will uphold high standards of cleanliness and confidentiality, ensuring a dignified space for both mothers and children.
Instructions have been issued to the concerned departments to expedite the implementation and make the facility functional at the earliest.
