Puri’s Jagannath temple reopened for devotees

The Shree Jagannath Temple here reopened for devotees on Wednesday after remaining closed for nine months in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The much-awaited ‘darshan’ of the sibling deities – Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath, began at 7 am amid strict adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines for servitors and their relations only, officials said.

The Temple remained closed since the center of March thanks to the outbreak of the pandemic. this is often for the primary time within the history of the 12th century Lord Vishnu shrine here that the devotees were denied the chance for having ‘darshan’ of the deities, the officials said.

“It was a matter of luck for any person to possess darshan of the deities in Jagannath dham. We are blessed to urge the chance within the first phase,” said an elderly woman after visiting the temple.

On the primary three days (December 23, 24 & 25), servitors and their relations are going to be allowed to enter the temple for darshan with strict adherence to COVID-19 norms, Puri Collector Balwant Singh told reporters.

He said devotes are allowed entry into the temple after proper checking of identity proof, hand sanitisation and mandatory wearing of face masks.

The relations of servitors are going to be allowed darshan of the deities on the primary three days, the residents of Puri will get subsequent opportunity to enter the temple from December 26 till New Year’s Eve evening, officials said.

The temple will again remain closed on January 1 and a couple of in sight of the push of devotees for the New Year , the official said, adding that the temple are going to be opened for all devotees from January 3.

Meanwhile, the district administration has prepared a ward-wise schedule for the people of Puri for the darshan of the deities. The residents of every ward in Puri Municipality area are given specific date and time to possess darshan of the deities, he said.