In Puri, Shi Jagannath Temple will be reopened from 23rd December after nine months of shutdown due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The preparation for the reopening has already begun so that proper protocols of COVID-19 are taken care of.
Balwant Singh, Puri collector, SP Kanwar Vishal Singh, and officials of the managing committee of Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) held a meeting regarding the reopening of the Temple without violating any of the guidelines issued by the Government for COVID-19.
Even former Orissa High Court judge and OHRC Chairperson Justice Bijoy Krishna Patel also attended the meeting and suggested several terms and measures which should be followed to avoid any spread of the COVID infection.

Justice Patel stated that the authorities are well aware of the situation and are equally concerned about the devotees and pilgrims’ safety. They have already discussed the safety protocols and avoid the crowd; they have ensured strict social distancing will be followed. The health situation of the devotees and visitors is the foremost priority of the Temple’s administration and all the authorities.
Even Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar is all set to reopen from 27th December, where from 27th to 31st December, only servitors and their families will be allowed inside the Temple. And the Temple will remain shut for Public Darshan on 1st and 2nd January because of New Year. As per the reports, the residents will be allowed to go inside the Temple from 3rd January, and from 6th January, the Temple will be fully open.
Article Written by Dikhya Mohanty
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