Bhubaneswar, Jan. 1: Thousands of devotees returned from Puri after being unable to have a darshan of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra in the temple due to the tussle between servitors and temple administration over the issue of admitting devotees inside the sanctum sanctorum.

The administration has decided that Paramanik darshan ticket holders would be allowed to have a darshan of the deities from the barricade (Bhitarachhu katha, 20 metres away from the idols) and no one would be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum and touch the altar where the dieties are placed.

“With five lakh people expected, it will not be wise to allow visitors inside the sanctum sanctorum. The decision was taken in consultation with the servitors, who went back on their promise and the trouble started,” temple chief administrator Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said.

He alleged that the priests always “try to blackmail the administration” during major festive occasions.

“Usually, there is a huge rush during festive occasions like Dussehra, Kartik purnima, New Year Eve and New Year’s day. The servitors take advantage of this and allow devotees inside the sanctum sanctorum by taking money from them. Disputes often erupt between the servitors, who have temple service on the particular day and those who do not,” Mohapatra said.

Finally, it was resolved that restrictions imposed on the entry of visitors would remain in force only for two days — December 31 and January 1.

Puri SP Sanjay Kumar said: “Around 40 platoons of police force will be deployed in Puri town. Anti-terrorist squad and armed police force will be deployed. Traffic will also be regulated.”