The Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri has reopened for all devotees from today, August 23, 2021. The temple had been closed for the public since April 24 due to COVID-induced restrictions and lockdown. As a first phase, the temple had reopened on August 12, only family members of the servitors were allowed inside the shrine. Now with the reopening, the temple authorities have laid specific guidelines in the wake of coronavirus. 

Following are the key guidelines:- All devotees will be allowed entry to the shrine from 7 am to 7 pm. The shrine will be shut during major festivals to avoid mass congregations. Devotees are requested not to touch statues or idols inside the temple. Lighting of the deepas (lamps) inside the temple by the devotees will not be permitted.

The temple will remain closed Janmashtami (Aug 39) and Shree Ganesh Chaturthi (Sept 10)   Devotees visiting the temple will have to produce a full vaccination certificate or a negative Covid test report not older than 96 hours. Devotees will be required to bring their photo ID Card, namely, Aadhaar/Voter ID. It is mandatory for all devotees to wear masks at all times, inside and outside the temple, sanitise hands before entering into the temple, maintain physical distance at all times as per COVID guidelines and follow Covid appropriate behaviourIt is prohibited to take flowers and deepa (lamp) inside the temple. There will be big containers placed at the entrance, where such items can be dropped if being carried by the devotees

Senior citizens having co-morbidities, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below 10 years are advised to not visit the temple in view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation.  These key guidelines, among other regulations,   will be reviewed periodically and revised instructions will be issued from time to time to further facilitate darshan by devotees and also for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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