Bhubaneswar: The Lingaraj Temple in the city will reopen to devotees from September 1. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of Lingaraj Temple Trust Board, here on Wednesday.
The meeting, attended by Khurda collector, who is the president of the temple trust board, ADM, sub-collector, trust board members and representatives of Puja Panda, Badu Nijog and Brahman Nijog, decided that the devotees will be allowed to have darshan of the deity from September 1 in adherence to COVID regulations.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Biranchi Pati, secretary of Brahman Nijog, said the devotees can have darshan from Adapa Mandap and will not be allowed entry into sanctum sanctorum.
Pati said all COVID related restrictions will be strictly followed during the visit of the devotees to the 12th century temple. While the certificate of double dose of COVID vaccination has been made mandatory for entry, the protocols like wearing masks, sanitising hands and maintaining social distancing will be enforced strictly, he added.
It may be noted that the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) had restricted entry of devotees into the temple after four servitors tested positive for COVID in April. The government had also banned entry of Bol Bam devotees to the shrine during the holy month of Shravan.
