As Cyclone Dana approaches the Odisha coast, authorities are taking significant precautions to safeguard the iconic Jagannath temple in Puri while advising devotees against visiting the sacred site.
The district administration has expedited preparations to minimise the cyclone's impact on the 12th-century shrine.
Puri District Collector Siddharth S Swain stated that devotees, particularly those engaged in the month-long ‘Kartik Brata’ ritual, should refrain from visiting the temple for safety reasons.
He stressed on the importance of prioritising public safety amid the impending weather threat.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) confirmed that comprehensive measures are being implemented to protect the shrine while maintaining daily rituals.
"We are ensuring that loose materials, including GI sheets and scaffolding tubes, do not get affected in the gale," the SJTA said in a statement.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that Puri will experience winds gusting up to 80 kilometres per hour during the cyclone's landfall early Friday, along with heavy rainfall.
In preparation, temple authorities have secured windows and doors to prevent damage from strong winds.
Additionally, all makeshift tents have been removed, and sandbags have been placed atop asbestos roofs for added protection against high winds.
The administration has arranged safe accommodation for regular devotees from outside Puri, with special provisions for elderly women and those performing the ‘Kartik Brata’.
The district administration and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are also focused on safeguarding tourists visiting the 13th-century Sun Temple at Konark.
In response to the cyclone threat, the ASI has temporarily closed the Konark Temple, while district police have restricted tourist access to local beaches.
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