Cuttack: The district administration on Tuesday imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 at Dhabaleswar temple in Athagarh to prevent overcrowding on the occasion of ‘Makar Sankranti’ on Thursday.
Athagarh sub-collector Ajambar Mohanty said since a large number of devotees are expected to throng the temple to offer puja on the day, the administration has imposed the prohibitory orders to prevent spreads of COVID-19.
Mohanty appealed to the people not to visit the temple during the period.
The shrine of Lord Shiva was opened to the public on Monday. It was reopened on January 9 after remaining closed for more than 9 months due to COVID-19 pandemic and following lockdown. The priests of the temple and their families were allowed entry on the first two days.