Public darshan at the Jagannath Temple in Puri has been suspended till May 15 in view of the rising Covid-19 cases.However, all daily rituals would continue as usual with help of servitors and temple officials.
A decision to this effect was taken at a virtual meeting held under the chairmanship of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrators Dr Krishan Kumar on Saturday.
Members of the Chhatisa Nijog and the Puri Collector and SP were present at the meeting.Notably, the temple is presently closed for public sue to a shutdown in the town on Saturday and Sunday. While the shutdown would end on Monday, devotees will also be debarred from en try into shrine till May 15. The Saturday’s meeting had a discussion on new standard operating procedure (SOP) for functioning of the temple amidst the second wave of the pandemic.
It was decided that regular screening and testing for servitors’ families and temple officials would be carried out to ensure that the infection amongst them is detected at an early stage and the infected are provided with effective treatment.
The Covid care centre made operational at the Neelachal Yatri Niwas would be further strengthened as per requirement and a constant review of the purpose would be undertaken. Besides, arrangements would be made for shifting of serious patients to the SUM and other hospitals in the Bhubaneswar for treatment. The temple Administrator (Development) would act as the Nodal Officer. Focus would be given on vaccination of those involved in daily rituals at the temple and those involved in construction of the chariots for the upcoming Rath Yatra. Chariots’ construction would continue as per the tradition, it was decided. The SJTA would take advance steps for procurement of masks and sanitisers for use during Chandan Yatra, Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra of the deities. This apart, awareness programmes on Covid-19 guidelines would continue. Notably, on Saturday, Puri district reported as many as 395 fresh Covid cases.