Puri (Odisha): After three months of restrictions due to COVID-19, the world-famous Jagannath Temple in Puri reopened for all devotees on Monday. The temple will be open for darshan from 7 am - 7 pm on weekdays.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), which has issued a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for devotees, said the temple will remain closed for the general public on Saturdays and Sundays to undertake sanitization and avoid crowding.
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Guidelines
SJTA said the queue system will be followed starting from 7 am. Devotees are directed to enter the temple premises through barricades on the North East side of the temple complex. They are directed to enter through Singhadwar and exit through Uttaradwar post darshan.
All devotees will have to produce either a document certifying that they are fully vaccinated or a COVID-19-negative RT PCR certificate obtained within 96 hours prior to their visit. They will also be required to furnish a government-approved ID card such as an Aadhaar Card or Voter ID among others.
Devotees will have to use hand sanitisers made available in the temple premises and undergo thermal scanning. It is mandatory for all devotees to wear masks and maintain physical distance at all times.
The temple administration has requested the devotees not to touch idols inside the temple. Flowers, bhogas and diyas are prohibited, SJTA said.
