Bhubaneswar, July 22: Devotees will have the last opportunity on Thursday to offer prayers to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra at the Gundicha Temple during the annual Sandhya Darshan before the deities begin their return journey to the Shree Jagannath Temple in the Bahuda Yatra.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has implemented extensive security and crowd management measures for the occasion. Devotees will be allowed to enter the temple through the Singhadwara and exit via the Nakachana Dwara. Public entry will be closed after the morning darshan to facilitate the Bahuda Pahandi rituals.

The administration has also clarified that holders of special darshan tickets will not be permitted to enter the sanctum. However, women members of servitor families will continue to enjoy their customary entry privilege. Devotees can visit Anand Bazar through the Nakachana gate to collect the sacred Adapa Abhada until midnight.

Meanwhile, preparations for the Bahuda Yatra are nearing completion. The three chariots have been turned southward after rain delayed the ritual on Tuesday. The temple will open at 4 am on Thursday, followed by Mangala Alati at 4:30 am and other scheduled rituals before the deities commence their return journey to Srimandir on Friday.