KOLKATA: Despite the fact that it was Snan Yatra, the usual scene of long queues of devotees turning up to offer puja to Ma Bhavatarini — as goddess Kali is popularly called in the Dakshineshwar temple — which re-opened on Thursday after the May closure due to restrictions, was missing.
It was also the foundation day of the temple and it is considered a special day in the annual calendar when thousands turn up for darshan and puja.
Masked entry, temperature checks, hand sanitisation, distanced standing areas — right from the gate to main temple and other temples within the sprawling complex — were strictly monitored, though the crowd was thin.
Restrictions were there as far as entry to sanctum sanctorum is concerned and devotees could come up to a point outside it to offer puja without flowers and incense sticks.
A sanitised basket with sweet boxes were handed over to helpers of priests, who did necessary rituals and handed them back to devotees.
People were allowed to visit other temples like the 12 Shiva temples, too, following restrictions but no one was allowed to go to the ghat or Panchavati greens.
The temple opened for four hours in morning — from 7am to 11am — and for two and a half hours in the evening — from 4pm to 6.30pm.
Restoration is also on in full swing.
Shops selling sweets in the arcade outside temple were also allowed to open but the temple kept a vigil on them to ensure that there was no crowding.
Rajendra Pratap, who is preparing for his IAS, had come to offer puja.
“I have come back from Delhi and am headed to Bihar.
I had a ‘mannat’ to fulfil,” he said.
“Most of the visitors were locals or those who came by cars.
Lack of public transport will remain a problem for many,” said Kushal Chowdhury, temple trustee.