Odisha CM To Inaugurate Puri Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor On Oct 18

Puri: The apex body of servitors of Sri Jagannath Temple, Chhattisa Nijog, which met here on Monday issued guidelines and schedule for Habishyalis for the Hindu month of Kartika.

According to Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Adminnistrator Dr Krishna Kumar, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will inaugurate the Heritage Corridor project at the north-east corner of the shrine on Ocotber 18 ahead of Kumar Purnima.

The authorities had earlier decided to restrict darshan of the Trinity at Srimandir on October 15 (Wednesday) coinciding with Dussehra Navami. As per temple SOP (standard operating procedure), the temple will remain closed on the occasion of Deepavali, Ekadashi, and Kartik Purnima among other festivals.

The administration of the temple, which was closed on Sunday for sanitisation of the premises, has made the announcement restricting darshan on October 15, has indicated that the temple would be open to public on October 18 (Saturday) ahead of Kumar Purnima (October 19-20) in keeping with the SOP for Covid-19 protocol.

“Today, on the 13th day of “Sodasha Upachara Puja” in Shrimandir, the ritual of “Shakta Gundicha Jatra” of Durgamadhaba was performed. The idol was taken on a chariot to the Narayani temple, said the temple sources.

All restrictions will also apply to ‘Habishayalis’ (widows who observe rituals during Kartika month in Puri) in view of the Covid-19 scare, added the reports

Meanwhile, devotees who have lined up in the pilgrim town to have a darshan of the Holy Trinity during the Durga Puja, have been advised against visiting the temple in view of the pandemic situation.

As per the general guideline, it is mandatory for all devotees to wear masks at all times, in and out of the temple, to sanitise their hands before entering the temple and maintain physical distance as per guidelines.