Puri Jagannath temple reopens after 9 months

December 24, 2020 Hot from the Oven Valli Sarvani No comments

COVID-19 not just affected humans, but Gods as well. Due to the transmission of COVID-19 in the country, many temples remain closed. Even though some temples like Tirumla opened, they restricted the devotees.

Now, Jagannath Temple in Puri reopened yesterday after nine months. The temple remained closed since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country in March. Now, authorities decided to reopen the temple in a phased manner.

The first three days from December 23 to 25, servitors and their family members will be allowed for darshan. However, they have to strictly follow the norms of COVID.

Local residents from Puri will be allowed for next darshan from December 26 to 31. They are allowed as per a ward-wise list, which was prepared by the district administration. A specific date and time will be given to the devotees for each ward in Puri for the darshan. Devotees can have the darshan as per the prescribed time schedule.

After that, temple will be closed again for two days, i.e. on January 1 and 2 on the occasion of the New Year. Devotees from outside will be allowed for darshan from January 3, 2021.

Devotees will have to adhere to COVID protocols. They shall have to wear facemasks while visiting the temple. They also shall carry an identity proof since they are allowed after checking their proof.

Devotees from outside Puri have to produce COVID-19 negative report to enter the temple. The test report should be latest and not prior to 48 hours. However, local residents need not submit COVID report as the district authorities are aware of the information of the locals.

Devotees shall not offer any items like flowers or basil leaves to the deity. They can enter through Singhadwara (Lions Gate) of the temple and exit from any one of the other three gates. Besides, it is also decided to erect barricades to avoid rush in the temple premises.

Image Credit: SamhitaB / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons