Parking Fee Adjustment at Puri's Bhakta Nivas

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri has officially announced a revision in parking charges at its Bhakta Nivas facilities, increasing the fee for four-wheelers to Rs 500 for a duration of 24 hours, inclusive of an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST). This change affects devotees who choose to park their vehicles at any of the four Bhakta Nivas managed by the temple administration.

The new parking fee structure will be enforced at four key locations: Gundicha Bhakta Nivas, Niladri Bhakta Nivas, Purushottam Bhakta Nivas, and Nilachal Bhakta Nivas. According to the notification issued by the Chief Administrator of the SJTA, the updated fee will be collected from guests starting January 7, 2026, until further notice. The Assistant Managers in charge of these facilities have been tasked with ensuring compliance with this new fee structure.

Community Reactions and Management Insights

Interestingly, the decision to hike the parking fees has raised eyebrows among members of the temple’s managing committee. Jagannath Pujapanda, a committee member, expressed surprise at the lack of prior discussion regarding the fee increase. "We were not aware of the decision. Those managing the four Bhakta Nivas may have done something. They would be in a better position to explain the parking fee hike. No discussion on increasing the parking fee was held in the managing committee meetings," he stated.

Reasons Behind the Fee Increase

This adjustment comes in response to a noticeable increase in the number of pilgrims visiting Puri, especially during peak seasons. The demand for parking at temple-managed accommodation facilities has surged, prompting the administration to revise its pricing strategy. This fee increase aims to manage the growing influx of devotees effectively.

Fun Fact About Puri and Its Pilgrimage

Did you know that Puri is one of the four sacred pilgrimage sites, known as Char Dham, in Hindu tradition? The others include Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram. This makes Puri a significant destination for millions of devotees every year!

Source: Odisha Tv