Devotees will now soon have a glimpse of the world famous Jagannath temple of Puri. From August 16, the temple is being gradually opened for the devotees. The temple administration has said that devotees will have to follow the Covid guideline along with physical distance to have darshan of God in the temple.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) says that from August 23, the temple will be fully opened for all devotees. However, between August 12 and August 13, the families of the servants of the temple will be allowed to have darshan of the Lord. Darshan timings will be from 7 am to 7 pm on all days. At the same time, residents of Puri Municipality area will be allowed entry for darshan of God from 16 to 20 August.
A report will be required for darshan in the temple. In the absence of these two, entry will not be available inside the temple. Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for various categories of people. The SJTA has issued an SOP for the families of the sevadars, the local residents of Puri and all the devotees inside and outside the state. The SJTA was directed to take a decision on opening the temple for darshan in consultation with the parties concerned and complying with the Covid safety norms.
SJTA chief administrator Krishna Kumar said the darshan timings would be from 7 am to 7 pm on all days. The temple will remain closed for public darshan on all Saturdays and Sundays for the cleanliness of the temple premises. The temple will also remain closed on major festive occasions to avoid any increase in corona infection. The temple will remain closed on August 30 (Janmashtami) and September 10 (Shri Ganesh Chaturthi). During the darshan, devotees will have to wear masks throughout and outside the temple, sanitize their hands before entry and follow the guidelines like physical distance.