Puri: With the improvement in the Covid-19 situation, the Puri District Administration has decided to reopen the Swargadwar at Puri to conduct last rites of the deceased of other districts and States with effect from August 16.
In an order, Puri Collector Samarth Verma said, “The funeral rites of the deceased (non-Covid death) belonging to other districts/States as well as of Puri district is allowed at Swargadwar, Puri with strict adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols.”
As per the order, the cremation of the body of the deceased (non-Covid death) will be allowed at the Swargadwar. The relatives will have to submit the necessary documents relating to non-Covid death of the deceased at the reception counter of Swargadwar Seva Samiti.
The Collector said a maximum 10 persons will be allowed to accompany the deceased. The relatives and persons accompanying the deceased will have to strictly follow the Covid appropriate behaviour such as use of face mask properly, hand sanitisers and maintenance of social distancing, etc.
The Puri sub-collector, who is also the member secretary of the Swargadwar Seva Samiti has been asked to keep close surveillance in the matter along with strict implementation of the order and to take appropriate action in case of difficulties.
On April 25, the Puri District Administration had imposed restriction for observance of the funeral rites of the deceased belonging to other then Puri district at the Swargadwar as well as immersion of ashes at Mahodadhi in order to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the district.
Meanwhile, the Jagannath Temple will be opened for the residents of Puri Municipality area from August 16 to 20. Devotees from all other areas will be allowed for darshan of the lords from August 23. The darshan timings will be from 7 AM to 07 PM on all days, when the temple is open for darshan of the Lords.
The Puri residents are required to produce their Photo ID card of all the members of the family who are visiting the temple for darshan of Lords.
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.
It is mandatory for all devotees to wear masks at all times, inside & outside the temple and they should sanitize their hands before entering into the temple.
