Puri Srimandir to remain closed for 9 days this festive season; check details

Puri: In view of prevailing COVID-19 situation, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has issued an SoP for devotees for darshan of Lords in Puri Srimandir after Chhattisa Nijog meeting held on October 11.

As per the SoP, the centuries old shrine will remain closed for nine days for devotees during the festive season this year. The Niti Nirghanta for the Baladhupa Niti for the upcoming month of Kartika has been approved at the meeting chaired by chairmanship SJTA Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar.

The revised Standard Operating Procedure will come into force with effect from October 15, 2021.

Sanding instructions on opening of Jagannatha Temple for devotees:

1. The darshan timings will be from 07:00 AM to 09:00 PM on all days, when temple is open for darshan of the Lords.
2. The Temple will remain closed for public Darshan on all Sundays as a measure to contain the spread of Corona Virus disease and in order to sanitize the Temple premises.
3. The Temple will also remain closed on major festive occasions in order to avoid any spike in transmission of COVID-19 on account of large gathering that is anticipated on such festive occasions. Accordingly, the Temple will remain closed for darshan of Lords on 15.10.2021 (Dussehra) and from 12:00 noon onwards on 16.10.2021 (Bhasani).
4 Temple will remain open on 20.10.21 (Kumar Purnima) for darshan.
5. In the Month of November Temple will remain closed for darshan on 04.11.21 (Deepavali), 15.11.21 (Bada Ekadashi) and 19.11.21 (Kartika
Purnima).

General guidelines on account of COVID-19 for all devotees

1. It is mandatory for all devotees to wear Masks at all times, inside & outside the Temple.
2. Devotees should sanitize their hands before entering into the Temple.
3. Devotees should maintain physical distance at all times as per COVID-19 guidelines and follow Covid appropriate behavior.
4. Devotees are requested not to touch Statues or ldols inside the Temple.
5. Lighting of deepas inside the temple at the designated places by the devotees will be permitted
6. It is permitted to carry flowers/bhoga inside the Temple but such items shall be placed at pre-designated places as earmarked by the Temple administration.
7. Partaking of Mahaprasad is allowed in the designated places decided by the Temple Administration.
8. Chewing of Tobacco / Paan and spitting inside the Temple premises is strictly prohibited. A fine of Rs.500/- will be levied for each violation.
9. There is a complete ban on carrying Polythene Bags inside the Temple. A fine of Rs.100/- will be levied for each violation.
10.There will be a separate queue for Differently-abled devotees, for darshan of the Lords.
11.Parking of the vehicles will be done only at Jagannatha Ballav Math premise or any other designated place.
12.Advice to senior citizen/Children/persons having co-morbidities: Persons above 65 years of age, persons with Co-morbidities, pregnant Women &Children below 10 years are advised not to visit the Temple in view of the prevailing CovID-19 situation.

Guidelines for all devotees who will be visiting the Temple w.e.f 15.10.2021

1. Queue system will open from 07:00 AM. Devotees will make entry through the barricades opposite to the Shoe stand, situated on North-East side of the temple complex.
2. All devotees visiting the Temple will have to produce the Final Certificate for Covid-19 vaccination (of having taken two Doses) or CcOvID-19 negative certificate (RTPCR) of testing done within 96 hours prior to their visit to the Temple.
3. All devotees will be required to bring their photo ID Card, namely, Aadhaar/Voter ID etc.
4. Devotees will leave their belong ings at the designated place outside thee Temple: produce their 1D proof for verification and follow the COvID19 guidelines of hand sanitization & thermal scanning before entering the Temple.
5. All devotees will enter through Singhadwar. After the Darshan, the exit will be through Uttaradwar.

Earlier, the SJTA chief had urged Habisyalis not to visit the Jagannath Temple during the holy month of Kartika as part of precautionary measures to prevent congregation and further spread of COVID infection.

Also Read: Habisyalis barred from visiting Puri Srimandir during Kartik month