Puri: After being closed for a little over nine months, the Jagannath temple (Srimandir) in Puri will reopen December 23. This information was given by District Collector Balwant Singh here Friday. Temple had been closed in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak and devotees were not being allowed to have darshan of the deities.
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As per directive of the Odisha government, the Puri district administration has chalked out a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the purpose. Initially for first two days, the servitors and their family members will be allowed to have darshan of the three deities. Later, the residents in Puri town will be allowed to enter into the temple in a phased manner till December 31 evening, Singh informed.
Other temples and religious institutions in Puri district will also reopen December 23 with strict adherence to prevailing COVID-19 restrictions including maintenance of social distancing, the district Collector clarified.
Keeping in mind the expected rush during New Year’s Day, visitors will not be allowed inside the temple January 1 and 2. However, darshan of the three deities will resume from January 3, coming year.
PNN