Puri Shree Jagannatha Temple to remain out of bounds for devotees till June 15

Puri: The deities of the Shree Jagannatha Temple in Puri will remain of bounds for devotees till June 15, 2021. The Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) and the Puri district administration today decided to suspend the ‘public darshan’ at the temple till June 15 in the wake of raging second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

During a review meeting chaired by SJTA Chief Administrator, Krishan Kumar and attended by Puri Collector, Samarth Verma and other senior officials the decision to prohibit the ‘public darshan’ of the deities was taken.

However, all the daily rituals at the temple will continue with help of Sevayats and the temple administration officials.

“Any spread of COVID-19 amongst Sevayat families during these times will be detrimental to the observance of daily ‘Niti-Kanti’ and for ensuring observance of rituals of ‘Chandan Jatra’, ‘Sanan Jatra’ and ‘Ratha Jatra’,” a statement issued by the SJTA read.

The temple administration added large number of precautions are being ensured for management of Covid-19 amongst Sevaks and officials.

“All were of the unanimous view that necessary precautionary measures should continue to ensure continuity of age-old traditions of Niti-Kanti (rituals) of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha and keeping in mind the ongoing festival season,” the statement read.

The Shree Jagannatha Temple in Puri has been closed for devotees from May 5 as the State-wide lockdown in force to prevent the spread of Covid-19.