Puri: Srimandir, the abode of Lord Jagannath, would remain open for all the days of the week as per a revised standard operating procedure (SOP) for the 12th century shrine.
The temple used to remain shut for devotees on Sundays for sanitisation work in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) announced the revised SOP after holding a meeting of all stakeholders Wednesday. SJTA chief administrator Krishan Kumar presided over the meeting.
As per the revised SOP, public darshan at the shrine will start at 6am. However, the devotees will have to wear masks in and outside the temple. Besides, hand sanitisation and social distancing are made mandatory for the devotees.
“Devotees are requested not to touch statues and idols at the shrine. Chewing of paan/tobacco and spitting inside the temple premises are strictly prohibited. A fine of Rs 1,000 each would be imposed on the violators,” said the revised SOP.
Moreover, devotees are strictly told not to bring polythene bags into the temple. Any violation in this regard would invite a penalty of Rs 100. The new SOP, however, allowed the devotees to offer earthen lamps at some designated places inside Srimandir. Similarly, the devotees are allowed to partake Mahaprasad at Anand Bazar on the shrine premises.
“The special arrangement for the residents of Puri city visiting the shrine within 6am and 7am is discontinued forthwith. All the devotees will enter Srimandir through the Lions’ Gate and exit though the other three gates,” said the new SOP.
According to the revised SOP, the authorities will sanitise the temple premises at night thrice in a week. “The SJTA will revise the SOP from time to time depending upon the Covid-19 situation,” said a temple official.
