The Srimandir Managing Committee has greenlit a series of landmark decisions, highlighted by the creation of a new set of Suna Besha ornaments for the deities. Funded by the temple administration with voluntary contributions, the ornaments will replicate traditional designs using digital records from the Ratna Bhandar inventory.
In a major relief for devotees, the Shri Gundicha Temple will reopen from September 30, with daily darshan from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Entry will be free for the first three days, followed by a ₹10 ticket, while children, seniors, and differently-abled individuals enjoy permanent free access. Special North Gate arrangements and dedicated slots have been established for Divyang devotees, alongside discussions for a streamlined token-based local darshan for Puri residents.
Furthermore, the committee reviewed the 'Adarsha Gurukul' project for servitor welfare, noting that 800 meters of boundary wall construction is complete. The upcoming campus will feature a school, hostel, playground, and auditorium.
These comprehensive reforms mark a significant step toward enhanced devotee convenience, heritage preservation, and community welfare in Puri.