SJTA Issues New SOP For Puri Jagannath Temple, To Be Effective From Dec 16

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the reopening of the temple which will come into effect from December 16. The SOP has been finalised during the Chhatisa Nijog meeting held on December 10.

According to the official reports, the meeting was convened to discuss and approve the Niti Nirghanta for the Pahili Bhog of Lord Jagannath to be performed from December 16 to January 13, 2022, along with Niti Nirghanta for Makara Sankranti and Debabhisheka Purnima scheduled to be performed on January 14 and January 17, 2022, respectively.

The SJTA notification stated that in view of the large number of devotees visiting Shree Jagannath Temple and the possible onset of the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, a detailed discussion was held and a decision was taken to revise the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). These revisions in the SOP will come into force w.e.f. 16.12.2021.

As per the new guidelines which will come in effect on December 16 is that the devotees can enter the temple for the darshan of the Lords from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM on all days when the temple is open for the public darshan. Further, the temple will remain closed for darshan on December 31, 2021, and January 1, 2022 (English New Year Day) to avoid any spike in the transmission of Covid-19 on account of a large gathering that is anticipated on those days. The temple will remain closed for public darshan on all Sundays as per the SOP notified vide Order no. 10521 dated 13.10.2021.

The new guidelines further added that the Jaya Bijaya Dwar and Beherana Dwar remains closed for the performance of special rituals like Banaka Lagi and Paita Lagi. As of now, entry to the temple for that period of time was prohibited under the SOP’s issued earlier. However, from now onwards there will be no restrictions on the entry of devotees to the temple complex for darshan of Parshva Devtas and to visit Anand Bazaar. Though devotees will be able to go inside the temple, they will not be able to have darshan of Lords till the completion of such rituals.