Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated the Shree Mandira Parikrama Prakalpa, a heritage corridor project for the Sri Jagannath temple in Puri. This inauguration holds religious and political significance, coming before the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and ahead of upcoming general and assembly elections. The project, which includes a one kilometre road named 'Sri Marg,' aims to improve facilities for the increasing number of devotees visiting the temple.
Two renowned sand artists in Puri, Sudarshan Patnaik and Manas Kumar Sahu, have created impressive sculptures of Lord Jagannath on the beach to welcome the new year. Patnaik's 25 ft high sculpture showcases the deity's Bada Singhara Besha using flowers, while Sahu's 20 ft high sculpture features a message for a happy new year. The sculptures have attracted a lot of tourists and are a unique way to ring in 2024.