Puri, Nov 11: Panchuka is slated to be celebrated from November 12 and the ritual will be observed for only four days this year. This change is due to the moon's trajectory, which will pass through the five designated star fields, or Nakshatras, in just four days instead of the usual five.
In view of more footfall of devotees, extensive security measures have been implemented by the police to ensure the safety and convenience of devotees during the upcoming Panchuka rituals.
According to sources, barricades have been set up near Marichikot Road to facilitate smooth movement and orderly darshan of Lord Jagannath and his siblings within the 12th-century shrine. These measures are aimed at ensuring that devotees can pay their respects to the deities in a disciplined manner through effective crowd management.
In addition to crowd control, the police are also focusing on traffic management to prevent congestion around the temple area.
Puri Superintendent of Police Vineet Agarwal stated that special arrangements are being made to guarantee that the annual rituals are conducted smoothly and orderly. The primary objective is to ensure that Habisiyalis and other devotees experience a hassle-free darshan.
Moreover, a total of 38 platoon forces will be deployed during the Panchuka celebrations. Furthermore, five additional Superintendents of Police (SPs), 14 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), and 26 inspectors will be assigned to maintain peace and order.
According to the Padma Purana, those who faithfully observe the rituals during this period are said to attain spiritual growth and deepen their devotion to Lord Krishna.
