Puri (SunstarTV Bureau): Days long after remaining close of Puri Srimandir, the temple is now all set to reopen for devotees from August 16, informed the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration on Wednesday.
Notably, the temple was closed for public since April 24 due to Covid-19 pandemic situation across State.
Sources said, the temple will be opened gradually for devotees from 16 August, 2021. Meanwhile, on 12th and 13th August, the family members of the servitors will be allowed for deities darshan. The darshan timing has been set from 7 am to 7 pm.
Besides, the Puri Municipality area will be allowed for darshan from 16 August to 20 August. Further darshan will be allowed for all devotees will be from 23 August, 2021. However, the public darshan will remain close on all weekends in order to sanitize the temple premises.
General guidelines for all devotees on account of COVID-19
- It is mandatory for all devotees to wear Masks at all times, inside & outside the Temple.
- Devotees should sanitize their hands before entering into the Temple.
- Devotees should maintain physical distance at all times as per COVID-19 guidelines and follow Covid appropriate behavior.
- Devotees are requested not to touch Statues or idols inside the Temple.
- It is prohibited to take flowers/ bhoga/ deepa inside the Temple. There will be big containers placed at the entrance, where such items can be dropped, if being carried by the devotees.
- Lighting of the Deepas inside the Temple by the devotees will not be permitted at all.
- Chewing of Tobacco/ Paan and spitting inside the Temple premises is strictly prohibited. A fine of Rs.500/- will be levied for each violation.
- There is a complete ban on carrying Polythene Bags inside the Temple. A fine of Rs.100/- will be levied for each violation.
- There will be no partaking of Mahaprasad inside Ananda Bazar & Temple premises. However, the devotees can carry Mahaprasad & partake it at their place of residence or any other convenient place.
- There will be a separate queue for Differently-abled devotees, for darshan of the Lords.
- Parking of the vehicles will be done only at Jagannath Ballav Math premise or any other designated place.
Guidelines for all devotees who will be visiting the Temple w.e.f 23.08.2021
- Queue system will open from 07:00 AM. Devotees will make entry through the barricades opposite to the Shoe stand, situated on North East side of the temple complex.
- All devotees visiting the Temple will have to produce the Final Certificate for Covid-19 vaccination (of having taken two Doses) or COVID-19 negative certificate (RT PCR) of testing done within 96 hours prior to their visit to the Temple.
- All devotees will be required to bring their photo ID Card like Aadhaar/ Voter ID etc.
- Devotees will leave their belongings at the designated place outside the Temple; produce their ID proof for verification and follow the COVID-19 guidelines of hand sanitization & thermal scanning before entering the Temple.
- All devotees will enter through Singhadwar. After the Darshan, the exit will be through Uttaradwar.
