Puri Gundicha Temple Reopens After Six Years, Devotees Rejoice
Puri’s historic Gundicha Temple, revered as the birthplace of Lord Jagannath, reopened to the public on September 30, 2026, after being closed for six years due to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
The temple gates were opened at 7:45 AM with traditional rituals and pujas, marking a moment of spiritual renewal for thousands of devotees.
Crowds thronged the Singh Dwar to witness the reopening and catch a glimpse of Mahaprabhu’s Janmabedi.
Authorities, including the temple administration, district officials, and police, coordinated extensive security and crowd management measures.
Entry will remain free for the first three days, after which a nominal fee of ₹10 will be charged.
Puri SP Prateek Singh confirmed comprehensive security arrangements, while Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee emphasised the temple’s spiritual importance and assured smooth facilities for devotees.
The reopening has sparked joy among servitors and pilgrims, restoring a vital spiritual heartbeat to Puri ahead of the festive season.
