Mahaprasad consumption at Ananda Bazar in Odisha’s Srimandir from Feb 12

Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will allow devotees to have Mahaprasad at the Ananda Bazar in the temple here from February 12. Mahaprasad consumption at Ananda Bazar  was prohibited due to the COVID-19 situation.

“The devotees will be allowed to partake Mahaprasad inside Ananda Bazar and temple premises at designated places only,” the SJTA said.

The temple administration has also issued a new set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the devotees visiting the shrine.

Below are the SOPs:

* The temple will remain open on all days of the week. This will be as per the schedule of niti on different days. The public darshan of lords will start latest by 6 AM, unless notified.

* It is mandatory for all pilgrims to wear masks at all times, both inside and outside the temple.

* Devotees should sanitize their hands before entering into the temple.

* Devotees should maintain physical distance at all times as per COVID-19 guidelines.

* Devotees are requested not to touch statues or idols inside the temple.

* Chewing of tobacco/paan and spitting inside the temple premises is strictly prohibited. A fine of Rs 1000 will be levied for each violation.

* There is a complete ban on carrying polythene bags inside the temple. A fine of Rs 100 will be levied for each violation.

* Lighting of deepas inside the temple by the devotees will be permitted at designated places only. 

* The special arrangements for the residents of Puri for one hour from 6AM to 7AM is discontinued.

* The entry of devotees to the temple in queue system will start from the barricades opposite to the shoe stand.

* All devotees will enter through Singhadwar. After the darshan, the exit will be allowed through all the dwaras except Singhadwar.

* People, who leave their belongings such as shoes, mobiles etc. at the shoe stand located at the north east side of the temple, are advised to exit from the Hasti dwara for easy and faster retrieval of their belongings.

* Night time sanitization of the temple premises will be conducted three times a week after closure of public darshan.