Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Wednesday relaxed the restriction for darshan of Lord Jagannath by announcing that devotees now will be permitted to enter the Temple on all Sundays to seek the blessing of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.
While speaking about the decision of the SJTA, Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar said that devotees now can have darshan of the deities daily from 6 am.
The Chief Administrator further said that Mahaprasad will be available for the devotees in Anand Bazaar from February 12.
A special squad will be formed to keep eye on the visitors and a Rs 1000 fine will be collected from those who spit on the premises of the 12th-century shrine, he said adding that decisions will be taken to make the Shrimandir plastic-free.
The temple premises will be sanitized thrice a week during night time.
It is to be noted that earlier only the residents of Puri were allowed to seek the blessing of the deities at 6 am. However, now all devotees or outsiders can have the darshan.
Here the complete Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for reopening of Shree Jagannath Temple:
- The Temple will remain open on all days of the Week. This will be as per the schedule of Niti on different days. The public darshan of Lords will start latest by 6 AM unless notified.
- It is mandatory for all pilgrims to wear masks at all times, both inside & outside of the Temple.
- Devotees should sanitize their hands before entering the Temple.
- Devotees should maintain physical distance at all times as per COVID-19 guidelines.
- Devotees are requested not to touch Statues or Idols inside the Temple.
- Chewing of Tobacco Paan and spitting inside the Temple premises is strictly prohibited. A fine of Rs. 1000/- will be levied for each violation.
- There is a complete ban on carrying polythene bags inside the temple. A fine of Rs. 100/- will be levied for each violation.
- Lighting of Deepas inside the Temple by the Devotees will be permitted at designated places only.
- The Devotees will be allowed to partake in Mahaprasad inside Ananda Bazar and Temple premises at designated places only.
- The special arrangements for the residents of Puri for one hour from 6 AM to 7 AM is discontinued.
- The entry of Devotees to the Temple in Queue System will start from the Barricades opposite to the Shoe Stand.
- AII Devotees will enter through Singhadwar. After the Darshan, the exit will be allowed through all the Dwaras except Singhadwar (East Gate).
- People who leave their belongings such as shoes, mobiles etc, at the shoe stand, located in the North-East side of the temple, are advised to exit from the Hasti dwara (North Gate) for easy & faster retrieval of their belongings.
- Nighttime sanitization of the Temple premises will be conducted three times a week after close of public darshan.
Ms Kalinga