Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration issues SOP for public darshan from tomorrow

Puri: As per the decisions taken during the Chhatisha Nijog meeting, devotees will be allowed to enter the Shree Jagannatha Temple in Puri to pay obeisance to the deities from 6 AM to 9 PM on all days from February 1, 2022.

However, the temple will remain closed for public darshan on Sundays for sanitization as a measure to contain spread of Corona virus disease.

The Chhatisha Nijog meeting was held on January 28, 2022 under the chairmanship of Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), to review the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for management of situation arising out of CoviD-19 pandemic.

Devotees will be required to bring their photo ID Card, namely, Aadhaar/Voter ID or any other photo ID card for identification, along with final certificate for Covid19 vaccination or Covid-19 negative RTPCR certificate of testing done within 96 hours prior to their visit to the temple. The directive will remain valid till February 17, 2022.

The temple administration added the SOP on vaccination certificate will be reviewed again before February 17 and a revised instruction, if required, will be issued keeping in view the prevailing COVID situation.

Mask wearing will be mandatory for devotees at all times both inside and outside the temple. People flouting the norms will be fined, and may be refused entry to the temple, the SOP added.

Devotees should sanitize their hands before entering the temple. They should maintain physical distance at all times as per COVID-19 guidelines. There should be strict enforcement, for ensuring Covid appropriate behavior.

Also, the temple administration has set up camp for administering Precaution Dose vaccination for Sevayats between the age group of 18 to 60 years. Efforts will be made to ensure all eligible Sevayats are given the same in due time, keeping in view the health of the Sevayats.

Among others, the Puri Collector, Puri SP and senior officials of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration, Sevak Members of the Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee and members of the Chhatisha Nijog attended the meeting.