With the mercury soaring above 40 degree Celsius at Puri, an umbrella made of palm leaf and to be provided by the Shree Jagannath Temple will be given for use by President Pranab Mukherjee when he visits the 12th-century shrine on April 25.
Though the VVIP is supposed to use a white umbrella, it cannot be allowed in the temple premises due to traditional restrictions, said Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator and Revenue Divisional commissioner (Central) Arabinda Padhee.
According to the rules and tradition of the temple, no one is allowed to carry arms or umbrellas inside as the lord is considered supreme, he said, adding that since the President would reach the temple in a summer afternoon, an umbrella made of palm leaf would be arranged for him.
As the President would be in the temple premises during the peak of summer, certain arrangements would be made for his comfort, said another SJTA official.
The stone floor of the temple covering 37,000 square metre could be very hot, and the President would have to go inside barefoot after arriving at 12.50 pm for Darshan of lord Jagannath. The final decision would be taken at a meeting of the 36-Nijogs (36 priests) on Thursday, he informed.
As part of the President's security, the Puri district administration has decided to close the four entry and four exit doors of the temple for nearly half an hour before the President's arrival.
District Superintendent of Police Anup Kumar Sahoo said the temple complex would be completely sanitised and only a few priests would be allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum. No vehicle would be allowed on the Grand Road till the President leaves the temple.
Similar arrangements were also made during the visit of former president Pratibha Patil on December 9, 2009.