Thousands of devotees including women and children visited the 12th centurᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚy Shree Jagannath Temple here on Sunday to seek the blessings of the holy deities and begin their new year on a positive note.
Devotees across Odisha and other states were seen queuing outside the temple since early morning to have glimps🍸e of the Holy Trinity and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannat🌟h.
Anticipating lakhs of devotees on New year, the Puri district administration had made elaborate security arrangements for the devotees to have 𒉰a ha🌊ssle-free darshan.
Puri police deployed more than 60 platoons of police and around 200 officers in and around the Jagannath temple to maintain law an⛎d order in the area.
As many tourists also visit th🐬e sea beach to have a bath b🌃efore going to the temple, a large number of lifeguards were stationed at designated bathing points along the beach to prevent incidents of drowning, said Puri, SP, Kanwar Vishal Singh
The devotees waiting♕ for hours were provided with water and other facilities by police.
"We sought blꦐessings of Lord Jagannath on the first day of the New Year. May 2023 brings happiness and prosperity to all," said a devotee who visited the 12th century temple.
"Police have taken special measures to ensure that senior citizens and specially abled devotees get a darshan of Lord Jagannath,&qu🐭o𓃲t; the SP said.
Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Navಌeen Patnaik wished people a Happy New Year 🌌on Sunday.
Through a video message the CM said: "I wish you all on the occasion of New Year. May the New Year be a happy, peaceful, and prosperous one for all. May it be a year of opportunities and possibilities. This is the only prayer before Mahaprabhu (Lo❀rd Jagannath)."
"I wish all of you a very very happ🥀y new year," he added.
-With PTI Input
