Puri: Thousands of devotees thronged the pilgrim town of Puri as Panchuka (last five days of holy month Kartika) commenced today.

The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the devotees to ensure smooth darshan of the deities.

Temporary toilet systems have been set up near the temple administration office along the Badadanda. Commercial activities from Singha Dwara to Market Square will remain suspended during these five days.

As many as 40 platoons of police personnel have been deployed at the shrine.

In view of the increase in the number of devotees visiting the temple, length of barricades along the Badadanda have been increased.

Volunteers have been engaged to help elderly and differently-abled persons facing difficulties while standing in queues. Drinking water supply facilities have been placed strategically for the devotees.

Notably, Panchuka is the last five days of the holy month of Kartika, during which most of the people in Odisha abstain from non-vegetarian food.

Many devotees, especially widows, from all corners of Odisha flock to Puri for having darshan of the deities at the Shree Jagannath Temple on the occasion.

Those who are unable to follow the rituals during the entire month of Kartika, observe it during the last five days of the month.

Panchuka begins on Ekadasi day during the Shukla Paksha in Kartika and ends on Kartika Purnima.