Puri: The proposed ticket (paid) darshan system for devotees at Srimandir here may be more convenient for rich than the commoners.
According to sources, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) is mulling to charge high prices for ticket darshan system.
Atn a recent meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, the panel decided to introduce the ticket darshan system at the shrine. Under the new system, devotees can have darshan of the presiding deities from close quarters by purchasing tickets from the temple administration.
Besides, the ticket holders would be entering the Srimandir via a separate queue.
Notably, a paid darshan system, technically known as Parimanik darshan, was in force at Srimandir prior to the renovation of temple Jagamohan. Under the Parimanik darshan system, devotees were entering the sanctum sanctorum and paying obeisance to the deities after purchasing tickets worth Rs 50 each.
The Parimanik darshan system was suspended following a ban on devotees’ entry into the sanctum sanctorum.
Subsequently, the temple administration had planned to introduce a new ticketing system to allow devotees to have darshan of the deities from the Bhitarakatha (inner circle). It has constituted a sub-committee to prepare a blueprint for introduction of the new system.
The sub-committee would take a call on the price of the ticket and decide other modalities including the timing of the paid darshan.
However, sources claimed that the SJTA is advocating for high ticket prices for the paid darshan. It has been argued that high ticket price would allow a selective few to avail the paid darshan. As a result, the shrine administration would not face much problem to make special arrangements for the ticket holders.
Moreover, the SJTA can garner a good amount from the ticket system and utilise the funds for developmental activities.
However, some servitors are opposing high ticket prices on the plea that common devotees would not get any benefit from the proposed paid darshan system.
