Puri: After a gap of four months, Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri has been reopened for devotees on Monday. Devotees having darshan of Lords from 7 am at the Shrine.
“The devotees will be allowed to have darshan of Lord from 7 AM to 7 PM from Monday to Friday. The temple will remain closed for public darshan on all Saturdays & Sundays,” said Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Dr Krishan Kumar.
“Last week, over 50,000 devotees had come to pay obeisance to the Lords. Now, with the opening of the temple for devotees from all places, we expect around 15,000-20,000 footfall every day,” Dr Kumar said.
He appealed all devotees to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued in view of Covid-19.
Three-tier security arrangements have been made to facilitate devotees for a smooth darshan of Lords. The police have set up a special centre to take feedback from the devotees, said Puri SP, Kanwar Vishal Singh.
“We have taken feedback from more than 40 people and the arrangements are being appreciated. Around 12 platoons of forces have been deployed in and outside the temple,” Singh said.
Devotees have been urged to submit their feedback on police service at the temple either by submitting a form or through online QR code scanning systems installed at parking lots and other places.
“Very nice system has been put in place. No devotee will face any problem while visiting the temple and no threat of Covid-19 infection also,” said a devotee from West Bengal.
The temple has been closed on April 24, 2021, for the entry of the general public, following resurge in the Covid-19 cases. After allowing servitor families and Puri citizens, the temple today reopened for all devotees.
Apart from Saturdays and Sundays, the shrine will also remain closed on major festive occasions in order to avoid any spike in transmission of Covid-19 on account of huge gatherings that are expected on such festive occasions.
A queue system has been put in place for the devotees, who will make entry through the barricades opposite to the shoe stand, situated on the north-east side of the temple complex.
As per the SOP, 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 (RTPCR) of testing done within 96 hours prior to their visit to the temple.
All devotees will be required to bring their photo ID card, namely, Aadhaar/Voter ID etc and enter through Singhadwar. After the darshan, the exit will be through Uttaradwar.
It is mandatory for all devotees to wear masks at all times, inside & outside the temple and they should sanitize their hands before entering the temple.