Odisha: Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri reopens for visitors

On Monday, Jagannath Temple in Puri has been re-opened for devotees after a gap of about four months in adherence to the Covid-19 guidelines, said Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA).

Krishan Kumar Chief Administrator, SJTA said, "Adequate safety measures have been put in place so that the people can have darshan and offer prayers with strict adherence to Covid-19 preventive protocols."

He further added, "The devotees would have to produce their final Covid-19 vaccination certificate or negative RT-PCR test report to visit the temple along with a photo identity card. The darshan of holy Trinity was discontinued in the last 3 months after the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic hit the State."

The timings for visiting the temple for devotees will be from 7 am to 7 pm. Keeping the Covid guidelines in place, both doses of Covid-19 vaccine or RT-PCR negative certificate will be mandatory for the visitors. The RT-PCR test report shouldn’t be older than 96 hours prior to the visit. Wearing masks, using sanitizer and social distancing before entering into the temple premises is also mandatory. 

All devotees will have to show their photo ID Card, namely, Aadhaar/Voter ID etc. However, the devotees will not be allowed to touch statues or idols in the temple premises. 

"The temple authorities have also prohibited taking flowers, bhoga or deepa inside the temple premise. Chewing of Tobacco, Paan or spitting inside the temple premises is prohibited and the violators will be fined Rs 500 for the same. It has also issued a complete ban on carrying polythene bags inside the temple. A fine of Rs 100 will be levied for each violation. Partaking of Mahaprasad inside Ananda Bazar and temple premises is also prohibited", as reported by News18.