Witnessing the sunrise on Puri beach followed by a visit to the iconic 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple in the holy town is the perfect way to usher in the New Year for many people.

With two days left for the New Year celebration, the administration is expecting lakhs of people to visit the pilgrim city. The rush to Puri will continue for the next few days. Keeping the rush in mind, sources said the temple administration has decided to keep the doors of the temple open throughout the intervening night of December 31 and January 1.

Chief administrator of the Puri Shree Jagannath Temple, Ranjan Kumar Das, told The Telegraph: “We want everyone to get darshan of the deity in the New Year. Keeping in mind, we have decided to open the door of the temple throughout the night. If it remains closed for rituals, it will be closed for a few hours only. We are expecting nearly three to four lakhs devotees between December 31st to January 1st”

Senior Daitapati (servitor) Ramkrushna Dasmohapatra said: “There has already been a rush in Puri. It will continue till the inaugural ceremony of the Puri Temple Heritage Corridor project that will be thrown open to the public on January 17. Our servitors have fanned across the country to invite representatives from various temples. We are expecting several devotees and visitors during that time too.”

Officials in Puri exuded confidence about managing the crowd, especially in the temple and on the beach. The barricades have been erected to streamline the entry of devotees into the temple.

Puri SP Dr Kanwar Vishal Singh said: “The entire security will remain under our surveillance. Everything will be monitored through five contingency control rooms. Besides the temple, we are also keeping a watch on the sea beach. The beach area will be made a no-vehicle zone. We are in touch with the hotel owners.”

Singh said: “We want all should come and have a darshan of the deity. To provide security, we have made adequate security arrangements both in and outside the temples. Police have also made arrangements for elderly and disabled people. We have put sufficient signboards urging people to take the help of police.”