Puri Lord Jagannath Temple reopened for all devotees on Sunday after a prolonged nine month closure due to the pandemic even as Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal preferred to have darshan of the deities from outside for not having the mandatory Covid-19 negative report for entry into the shrine. Odisha governor, along with his family members and some staff, had to return to the state capital after having darshan of “Patitapaban” (the symbolic image of lord Jagannath seen from outside the temple) as they did not have the Covid-19 negative report, a senior official accompanying Odisha told reporters. 

Though there was no restriction on the entry of the governor, who was welcomed by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and Puri district administration, governor himself volunteered not to go inside on his own after he came to know that all the devotees have to submit their Covid-19 negative report before entering the temple, a senior official said. Devotees enter the temple through a queue system and are required to produce their photo ID card like Aadhaar/Voter ID after leaving their belongings at the designated place outside the temple. The devotees will enter into the shine through Lions Gate and exit through the north gate. 

The temple remained closed on January 1 and 2 and reopened for all devotees from across the country from Sunday. Approximately 17,000 devotees visited the temple on Sunday by producing Covid-19 negative reports done within 96 hours and adhering to the Covid-19 guidelines. The SJTA and the Puri district administration has implemented a various guidelines for the devotees like compulsory wearing of face mask, sanitise hands, maintain physical distance at all times, not to touch statues or idols inside the temple. Devotees are prohibited from carrying any offerings like flowers/earthern lamp inside the temple. 

Today Doors of Jagannath Temple reopens after 9 months

Jagannath temple of Puri open for devotees after 9 months

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