PURI(OT Webdesk): Devotees at the Shree Jagannath Temple faced an unexpected halt in morning darshan rituals on Monday when a child vomited near the Bhitar Katha area.
The incident occurred shortly after the Abakash Puja, amid heavy pilgrim footfall inside the revered 12th-century shrine.
Reacting swiftly, temple servitors suspended darshan and initiated the Bada Maha Snan purification ritual—a sacred cleansing procedure traditionally performed to restore the sanctity of the temple premises.
The ritual underscores the temple’s unwavering adherence to spiritual protocol and ritual purity.
The interruption led to long queues and delayed subsequent rituals, but pilgrims responded with patience, recognising the importance of preserving religious decorum.
Following the cleansing, darshan resumed, and temple authorities reinforced crowd management protocols to prevent similar incidents during peak hours.
This event highlights the convergence of health, safety, and spirituality at one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations.
