Puri:  Joining the state Government efforts in the battle against deadly coronavirus, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will soon form a relief fund for COVID 19.

A decision to this effect was taken after a meeting of SJTA  Finance Committee held earlier today.

Sources said the fund will be named as Shree Jagannath Relief Fund.  Devotee across the world will be appealed to donate money as per their capacity to help the Odisha Government combat the deadly virus.  The collected money will be transferred to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).

Worth mentioning,  the centuries-old temple has remained closed for devotees since March 20 as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus. However, servitors are allowed to enter the shrine to perform daily rituals of the deities.