COVID-19: Travancore Devaswom Board bans entry to temples under its fold

Devotees will not be allowed entry for worship in any temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board administration, including Sabarimala, from Thursday. Although marriages can be conducted but with the maximum participation of 10 persons and in strict compliance with the current COVID-19 regulations.

Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board has banned the entry of devotees to temples under its fold from June 18 to June 30.

"The board’s decision is put in place to check the possible spread of COVID-19 through temples, as more and more cases of COVID-19 are being reported," said N Vasu, president of Travancore Devaswom Board.

Arrangements have been put in place to facilitate Vazhipadu (offerings) in 28 temples online, under the Travancore Devaswom Board, including Sabarimala, the president added.

The temples under the board had reopened on June 9, in strict compliance with the COVID-19 regulations and precautionary measures. Ensuring physical distancing, only ten devotees were allowed to enter at a time.

However, keeping in mind the current scenario, the board members who met on Wednesday decided to restrict devotees entry to temples as a precautionary measure.

The state government had rested the onus of deciding on the entry of devotees in temples with the respective boards.

In addition to this, although marriages can be conducted but with the maximum participation of 10 persons and in strict compliance with the current COVID-19 regulations.