Puri: Sri Jagannath temple which remained out of bound for devotees since April 25 last due to covid pandemic, will now open for devotees from August 16 next.
The opening of the 12th century shrine for the devotees was decided in a joint meeting of Chhatisha nijog, district and temple administration held here on Wednesday.
Sri Jagannath temple administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Dr.Krishan Kumar in a press release said considering the state government letter over opening of Sri mandir it has been resolved to open the temple doors for devotees from August 16.
He said from August 16 to August 20, for five days, only the local devotees could enter the temple to have darshan of deities after showing their Aadhar or photo ID cards.
The temple administration has made production of Covid negative report obtained within 96 hours or certificate of complete vaccination mandatory for all devotees to enter into the temple.
The Sri mandir will be open for the general public from August 23 on wards as August 21 and 22 being the weekend shutdown, the temple will be closed for the devotees.
The devotees, Dr.Kumar said, have to comply the mandatory requirements.
Puri temple was closed for devotees since March 20, 2020 due to covid pandemic but the daily rituals are being performed by the servitors.It was and reopened on December 23 last year but again closed for the devotees from April 25 in the wake of second phase Covid outbreak
The standard operating procedure (SOP) issued earlier by the state government will be enforced.
All devotees entering into Srimandir will sanitise their hands, maintain minimum distance, wear double masks, do not touch any object or artifact or bring offerings.
They are also prohibited to dine at Anand Bazaar but could buy and take Mahaprasad.
Covid-19 test would be conducted on all servitors and temple officials from August 8 to August 10 for those who participated in the last annual Rath Yatra of lord Jagannath, Dr.Kumar said.
He said all efforts are on to vaccinate the temple servitors.
District collector Samarth Verma, SP K.Vishal Singh and officer bearers of Chhatisha nijog including its president Janardan Pattajoshi Mahapatra attended the meeting. (UNI)
