Himachal's Shaktipeeth temples to have low-key Navratri

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Himachal's Shaktipeeth temples will have low-key Navratri celebrations this year. The temple authorities are making ensure that all COVID protocols and provisions of virtual darshans have also been made.

Shimla:The Shaktipeeth of Himachal Pradesh, which witnesses huge crowd every year on Shardiya Navratri, will have a low festive spirit this year. The fear of the spread of the deadly coronavirus has attributed to less number of visitors. The temples will remain open for pujas but devotees will not be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the temples.

Due to corona, langars, also known as community feasts, will also be not allowed. Strict COVID protocols have been put in place and thermal scanning will be done for devotees visiting the holy place. The token system has been arranged in Naina Devi Temple in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur.

Himachal Pradesh is famous for its five Shaktipeeths which are Chintpurni Temple in Una District, Chamunda Temple in Kangra district, Brijeshwari Temple in Kangra district, Jwalaji Temple in Kangra district and Naina Devi Temple in Bilaspur district. All the Shaktipeeths of Himachal Pradesh are governed by the local district administration.

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Despite implementing strict measures, the devotion of the devotees is undeterred and are hoping to get a 'darshan'. However, various temples including Naina Devi, have also initiated the provision of live darshan for the devotees. All the arrangements to contain the spread of the infection are done in association with the Temple Trust.

Various religious customs like Bhajan, Kirtan and Bhandara will not be held but there is no dearth of faith.

Billions of rupees that is deposited in temple treasure is controlled by the Himachal Pradesh government. There are reserves of gold and silver. The temple trust has an FD of over one billion rupees. The government has acquired a total of 35 temples in various districts of the state. According to the information, in the treasury of mother Naina Devi, Shaktipeeth of Bilaspur district, more than Rs 11 crore in cash, more than Rs 58 crore as FD are deposited.