New SOP for darshan at Puri Jagannath Temple issued, check details

Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) here has issued a new Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the reopening of Jagannath Temple and darshan of the deities.

In view of the large number of devotees visiting Shree Jagannath Temple & a possible onset of the 3rd wave of COVID-19 Pandemic, a detailed discussion was held during a Chhatisa Nijog meeting held earlier this week, and a decision was taken to revise the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to the extent provided hereunder. These revisions in the SOP will come into force w.e.f. 16.12.2021.

The devotees can enter the temple for the darshan of Lords from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM on all days, when temple is open for public darshan.

However, the Temple will remain closed for darshan on 31.12.2021 and 01.01.2022 (English New Year Day) in order to avoid any spike in transmission of CovID-19 on account of large gathering that is anticipated on those days. Further, the Temple will remain closed for public darshan on all Sundays as per the SOP notified vide Order no. 10521 dated 13.10.2021.

Jaya Bijaya Dwar and Beherana Dwar remains closed for performance of special rituals like Banaka Lagi & Paita Lagi. As of now entry to the temple for that period of time was prohibited under the SOP’s issued earlier. However, now onwards there will be no restrictions on the entry of devotees to the temple complex for darshan of Parshva Devtas, to visit Anand Bazaar, etc. Wide publicity in this regard should be taken up to make everyone aware that during such times, though devotees will be able to go inside the temple, but they will not be able to have darshan of Lords till completion of such rituals.