Many devotees on Monday thronged at religious places in the national Capital following the social distancing and sanitisation measures put in place by the management committees of the temples, Gurudwaras and shrines.
Devotees visited Gurdwaras across Delhi and listened to “shabad kirtans’’ after religious places were opened for devotees after almost two and half month period. The historic Gurdwaras in the city were decked up with flowers, hoardings and several colourful gates to welcome pilgrims and ‘Langars’ (community kitchen), were arranged at most Gurdwaras.
Incidentally, the religious places were closed in Delhi on March 23, two days ahead of the nationwide lockdown imposed to check the spread of coronavirus. The famous Chhatarpur temple complex opened around 8.45 am with nearly 300 devotees visiting in the first hour, the temple authorities said.
“We have set up a sanitisation tunnel at the temple entrance and are using a thermal gun to screen people. No prasad and flowers are allowed,” Kishor Chawla, CEO, Chhatarpur temple management committee, said. Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari said the mosque was not opened for the first namaz of the day due to the corona curfew till 5 am.
“We are expecting good numbers for the second namaz around 1 pm. Social distancing and sanitisation measures have been put in place to prevent the spread of the virus during congregational prayers,” he said.
Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) chairman Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that social distancing norms will be strictly enforced at the shrines to check coronavirus infection,
Many Devotees did ‘sewa’ and helped in preparing vegetables, chapattis in the ‘langar’ or community kitchen area. The enthusiasm of the devotees was multiplied when they were allowed to perform virtuous sewas at the Gurdwaras after long intervals due to national lockdown
The holy Sikh shrines saw religious fervour and devotion when people reached in early morning to offer prayers at Gurdwaras. The devotees continued to reach all gurdwaras later in the day also.
“Sis Ganj Sahib, Bangla Sahib and Rakabganj gurudwaras attracted a large number of devotees. We are increasing the number of entry and exit points so that people do not come in contact with others and leave the premises after prayers,” he added.
The head scarf given to non sikhs devotees to cover the head will not be given as precautionary measures and all devotees have been asked to cover their head from cloth , cap , handkerchief etc, he added.
Sirsa further said that sanitisation tunnels have been set up at major gurdwaras and social distancing is being enforced by ensuring that people do not stay longer inside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrines, he said.