No entry into Puri Srimandir for devotees from outside Odisha without COVID -ve report

Puri: Besides restricting general darshan at Srimandir for two days a week, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) today decided that devotees coming from outside Odisha will have to mandatorily show RT-PCR negative report for entry into the shrine.

Devotees visiting the temple from outside Odisha will have to produce RT-PCR negative report (not old than seven days) or certificate of two doses of vaccination before entering the temple. This was decided at the Chhatisa Nijog meeting held virtually today under the chairmanship of SJTA Chief Krishan Kumar.

The meeting that discussed on revised SOP also decided that devotees will no more be allowed into Bhitara Katha for darshan of the deities.

Besides, three teams consisting of police personnel and officials of the district and temple administrations will be formed to strictly enforce the COVID-19  guidelines, including wearing of mask and use of sanitizer inside the temple.

The shrine will remain shut for devotees on every Saturday and Sunday with effect from April 24. The entire temple, barricades as well as Bada Danda  will be sanitized on these two days to break the chain of the virus’ transmission.