Puri: With an aim to ensure smoother and more accessible darshan for persons with disabilities (Divyang devotees) at the Shree Jagannath Temple, the temple administration has constructed a ramp at the 12th-century shrine in Puri.
Construction of a ramp and railings from the Gumuta near the temple’s northern entrance to the Kurma Bedha has been completed.
A special Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is being prepared to ensure orderly darshan for divyang devotees. They will be allowed to reach the area near the Bahara Katha, close to the Jaya-Vijaya Dwara, to have darshan of Lord Jagannath.
A trial run involving around 20 devotees per day is planned initially. However, the trial cannot be conducted during the ongoing Kartik month due to the heavy rush of devotees. The facility will become operational after the arrangements are finalised.
Recently a high-level meeting was held to review the proposed system, attended by the Puri District Collector, Superintendent of Police, members of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, senior servitors and temple administration officials.
During the meeting, officials discussed the online registration process, reporting and verification mechanisms, transit routes, safety measures and emergency arrangements. The Managing Committee also offered suggestions regarding the booking process and the scheduling of darshan.
Specially trained volunteers will be deployed to assist devotees with disabilities and help them reach the Natamandap or Jagamohan.
However, the entry of conventional wheelchairs into the temple is restricted. The administration is yet to finalise an alternative arrangement, including whether specially designed wooden or other types of wheelchairs will be used or devotees will be carried by attendants. The matter will be discussed in detail before the facility is introduced.
Under the proposed online booking system, a Divyang devotee will be eligible for special darshan twice a year, with a gap of at least six months between visits.
The initiative follows an earlier direction from the Orissa High Court to take steps to ensure orderly darshan for devotees with disabilities.
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