Online booking for darshan of Lord Jagannath in Puri Srimandir soon!

Puri: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) is considering to reopen Srimandir, which is closed for devotees for over four months due to COVID-19 pandemic, with certain guidelines.

A meeting of Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee was held today in Puri to discuss a proposal for reopening of Srimandir for devotees, who are deprived of having darshan of Lord Jagannath since March 20 before lockdown enforced in phases due to COVID-19 outbreak in Odisha.

“The discussion is underway on a proposal for online registration of devotees for darshan of deities inside Srimandir. It will be executed after the proposal gets nod at the panel meeting,” said Ramachandra Dasmohapatra, a member of Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee.

As per the proposal, the devotees need to register online on a proposed website for darshan of deities at the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The submission of identity proof and COVID-19 test report on the website will be mandatory for devotees as per the COVID-19 guidelines. Later, the devotees will be allotted the time for darshan of Lord Jagannath.

However,  the preference will be given to devotees from Puri district for darshan of deities at the temple.

As per the COVID-19 guideline, the devotees need to prove themselves as coronavirus negative for entry into the temple. Only limited number of devotees will be given chance for darshan inside the temple everyday, Dasmohapatra said.

Worth mentioning, the centuries old temple in pilgrim town is shut for devotees for about five months even after the Centre has announced unlock India in three phases lifting restriction on religious institutions. Even, the devotees were banned from visiting the place for darshan of deities during 9-day long Ratha Jatra held on June 23.