Puri: The Habisyalis might be restricted from visiting the Jagannath Temple this year too here during the holy month of Kartik with an aim to check the spread of COVID-19 infections.
After the meeting of Chhattisa Nijog, the apex body of servitors of Shree Jagannath Temple, SJTA Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar has urged the Habisiyali devotees not to visit the temple during the Kartik month this year. “Do avoid visiting the temple in the month of Kartik,” Kumar urged the women devotees.
However, the standard operating procedures (SOP) with regard to restrictions for Habisyalis will be issued in two days, said Kumar.
The temple will remain closed for three days during the holy month in view of the crowd that gather at the shrine to have a darshan of the Trinity.
As per temple SOP (standard operating procedure), the temple will remain closed Diwali (November 4), Ekadashi (November 16) and Kartik Purnima (November 19) among other festivals.
It may be mentioned that the authorities have also decided to restrict darshan at Srimandir on October 15 (Wednesday) Dasami and in the second hours of the day on October 16 due to immersion ceremony of Durga idols in the town. However, the temple will remain open on October 19 (Kumar Purnima).