Bengaluru: After over two months gap, Karnataka ordered the reopening of all religious institutions across the state on Monday, July 5. Accordingly, the holy places such as temples, churches, gurudwaras and mosques were allowed to open for darshans/prayers across the state. On the first day, all shrines that were allowed to open across the state saw decent footfall with devotees and even authorities of these shrines made elaborate arrangements to maintain social distance.
There are a total 34,558 temples that are directly controlled by Karnataka's Hindu Religious Organisation and Charitable Endowments department. Among these only a handful of them which are categorised as 'Grade A' temples generate revenue of more than Rs 25 lakh.
Following Covid protocols, most of the temples refrained from distributing prasadam (sanctified food) or flowers or teertha (holy water) which is common practice among all Hindu shrines. Muslim shrines (Darghas) also refrained their devotees from offering Chaddar (offering) or perfume and flowers to mazar (tomb).
However, cutting across the caste lines, devotees were allowed to visit and strict protocols were strictly followed like - wearing face masks and maintaining social distance in almost all shrines.
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