In a significant decision, the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will not remain open all night for devotees on New Year's Eve this year. The temple administration has announced a revised schedule, prioritizing the rest and rituals of the deities over the extended public viewing.
Revised Schedule for Ritual Sanctity
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) declared on Monday that the temple will close its doors at 11 pm on December 31. It will then reopen at 2 am on January 1. This three-hour closure is designed to provide Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra with a period of rest, breaking from the recent practice of keeping them "fully awake" past midnight.
Arabinda Kumar Padhee, the chief administrator of SJTA, emphasized that the smooth conduct of rituals is their foremost concern. He stated that the temple will adhere to its prescribed schedule, ensuring the deities are not kept awake through the intervening night for the celebrations.
Backlash Against Western Influence on Tradition
This pivotal change comes directly after a formal appeal from Mahesh Kumar Sahu, a member of the temple's apex decision-making body, the Jagannath Temple managing committee. In a letter to the government, Sahu urged authorities to discontinue the all-night darshan practice.
He argued that New Year celebrations, rooted in Western traditions, should not be allowed to disrupt the temple's ancient and sacred rituals. For the past few years, the administration had permitted night-long darshan from the evening of December 31 until the morning of January 1, primarily citing crowd management as the reason.
Balancing Devotee Influx and Ritual Purity
However, this move had attracted criticism from several quarters, including those who supported Sahu's stance. Critics felt that accommodating the New Year crowd compromised the sanctity and traditional rhythm of the temple's rituals.
Addressing concerns about managing the festive rush, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan confirmed that adequate arrangements are in place. He acknowledged the steady rise in devotees during festivals and reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a smooth darshan experience for all. The minister clarified that the temple administration has now framed specific rules to regulate the New Year celebrations based on these principles.
The decision marks a return to emphasizing traditional ritualistic protocols over modern celebratory trends, setting a precedent for how ancient temples manage contemporary demands.
