The famous Baidyanathdham temple in Deoghar district was thrown open for devotees on the concluding of the holy month of Sharavan on the instruction of the Supreme Court.
The temple was closed by the State government to prevent spread of Covid-19 virus. The government order was challenged by BJP’s Godda MP Nishikant Dubey who filed a PIL before Jharkhand High Court for the reopening of the Baidyanathdham temple and Basukinath temple in Dumka district.
However, the division bench of Chief Justice Dr. Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad of Jharkhand High Court in its decision given on July 3 declined permission for Shravani Mela in Deoghar.
The court was convinced with the logic of Jharkhand government that there will be mass gathering during fair and this will increase chance of community transfer of Covid 19 virus. However, the court directed the government to make arrangements and develop modalities for virtual darshan.
But Dubey moved Supreme Court against decision of Jharkhand government and the High Court.
The Supreme Court in its ruling advised the State government to make necessary arrangements to allow devotees to visit temple to perform prayer. Abiding by the Supreme Court’s ruling the State government issued a notification in this regard.
Lakhs of devotees across the world visit Deoghar to offer prayers. Besides, an equal number of devotees throng at Basukinath temple for prayers; one of the important shrines of Lord Shiva situated in Dumka district about 60 km from Deoghar district.
Deoghar district administration made elaborate arrangements to ensure that physical distancing is maintained and there should not be excessive gathering on the temple premise.
Around 100 devotees; all local residents of Deoghar were allowed to visit the temple when the sanctum-sanctorum was opened at 4 AM.
One of the temple priests Chhotelal Jha presided over the Sarkari Puja for around 45 minutes. After that selected devotees were taken inside temple.
“All of them underwent thermal screening and physical distancing was maintained. Entire temple was sanitized before the temple was opened. On an average eachdevotee was given around 30 second for prayer. The morning prayer continued till 7.35 AM,” said an official of Deoghar district administration.
Even if today was the end of the Holy month of Sharavan as per the tradition the religious fair at this temple continues till Bhadra month.