Puri: The Shree Jagannath temple here will reopen between December 22 and 24, with certain riders for devotees visiting the shrine.
This was decided at a meeting of the Chhattisha Nijog (apex body of servitors) on Saturday, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Krishan Kumar informed the media.
According to the SJTA chief, the following protocols will be implemented for devotees:
1. During the first week of reopening, only 5,000 residents of Puri town will be allowed to visit the shrine for the daily darshan of the Lords till the evening of December 31.
2. The temple will be closed on January 1 and 2 in view of the large congregation of devotees.
3. From January 3, the temple will be open for all. But only about 5,000 devotees per day will be allowed for a week. Thereafter, looking at the experience of handling, the numbers per day will be gradually increased every week.
4. Strict COVID-19 protocols will be implemented. The wearing of a mask, use of hand sanitizers, and social distancing will be insisted upon. The temple administration will issue a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) after due consultations very soon.
5. The devotees visiting the shrine will have to provide a COVID-19 negative certificate from a test done in the last 48 hours. Reports of both RAT and RT PCR tests will be allowed.
6. The SJTA will request devotees not to bring their children and persons above 65 years of age to the temple.
7. There will be strict regulation on bringing of offerings like flowers or deeps (lamps) inside the temple.
8. The security personnel deployed at the four temple gates will provide hand sanitizers to the devotees before their entry to the temple.
9. Devotees can avail of the Mahaprasad of the Lords.
The SJTA chief said these recommendations by the Chhattisha Nijog will be forwarded to the Odisha government for approval.
Also Read: Puri Jagannath Temple To Reopen In 3rd Week Of December: SJTA Chief
