Cuttack: Soaked in devotion, people of the Millennium City here thronged Chandi temple to have darshan of the presiding deity as the shrine reopened today after a closure of nine months.

Devotees were seen making a beeline outside the temple early this morning to offer prayers to the presiding deity. The temple authorities have made necessary arrangements to ensure hassle-free darshan of the devotees with adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

The temple has been decorated with flowers with Rangolis made outside the temple. Token system has been made and 20 devotees are being allowed inside the temple at once. Police personnel have been deployed at the site to keep a check on proper implementation of COVID-19 guidelines.

Similarly, famous Dhabaleswar temple in Athagarh of the district also reopened today for public. However, families of servitors will only be allowed for darshan today.
Residents of Mancheswar Gram Panchayat will visit the temple on January 9 and 10. From January 11 onwards, devotees from rest parts of the state can visit the temple following COVID-19 guidelines. A maximum of 50 people will be permitted to enter the temple at a time.