Puri Srimandir to Open at 2 AM on New Year’s Day 2026 for Devotees
Puri, Odisha: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced that the Puri Srimandir will open its doors at 2 AM on January 1, 2026, giving devotees an early opportunity to seek blessings from Lord Jagannath and his siblings.
SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee confirmed that the ritual schedule has been finalised.
The Ratri Pahuda will be performed at 11 PM on December 31, followed by the Dwaraphita ritual at 2 AM. The Pahili Bhoga offering will also take place as per tradition.
The early opening is designed to accommodate the large influx of devotees expected during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Extensive arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth and safe darshan experience.
Meanwhile, the Puri police have issued a traffic advisory ahead of the Zero Hour celebrations.
To manage the crowd, 60 platoons of police personnel will be deployed across the city, focusing on traffic flow and effective crowd management.
This initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to facilitating hassle-free darshan and maintaining order during peak festive hours.
