Bhubaneswar: Puri Jagannath Temple, which has been closed during the weekend considering the Covid pandemic, will allow the public to Darshan on Saturday from next week.
The 12th century Temple will still be closed only on Sundays to ensure the cleaning and disinfection of the building.
The temple government has also decided to extend Darshan’s daily time for two hours from 7am to 7am – 9 nights from Monday.
“We have revised the standard operating procedure (SOP) after assessing the Covid situation.
The closure of the temple weekend has been partially appointed.
Darshan will be allowed on Saturday while the temple will remain closed on Sunday.
Since the revised SOP will take effect since next week, the temple Will still be closed on September 11 and 12, “said a senior temple officer.
Administration said the negative reports of RT-PCR were obtained 96 hours before visiting Temple or the final dose of the Covid vaccine was still mandatory for worshipers to ensure smoothly into the temple.
Officials said there were no plans immediately to raise limits.
The source said that around 2,000 worshipers from the state and outside have been rejected into the temple in the last 10 days because they do not carry RT-PCR negative reports or double dose certificates.
“In addition to Sunday, we will close the temple at a large festival such as Puja Biswakarma, Kumar Purnima and Dussehra in September-October,” said the temple officer.
Closed since April 24, the temple opened the door in a staggering way for their nearby servants and family on 12 and 13 August.
Furthermore, only the population of Urban Puri is permitted in the temple from 16 to 20 August.
The temple was reopened for all on August 23.
Overall 1.29,174 worshipers have seen a glimpse of gods in the temple so far from August 23.
The temple administration said at least 51,334 worshipers from the city of Puri offered prayers at the temple between August 16 and 20.