Puri: The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Wednesday issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for various categories of people before the 12th century Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri in Odisha was opened in a phased manner for darshan from August 16. SJTA has issued an SOP to the families of the attendants, local residents of Puri, and devotees within and outside the state through a notification.

The temple, which closed from April 24 this year in view of Covid-19, will now be opened as per the state government's order. SJTA was directed to take a decision on opening the temple for darshan in consultation with the parties concerned and in compliance with the Corona Protocol. SJTA Chief Administrator Krishna Kumar said that after detailed discussions and considering all related matters, it was now decided to open the temple with strict guidelines from August 16. According to him, the temple will be gradually opened to the general public from August 16, although family members of servants will be allowed to visit God on August 12 and 13.

He further said that darshan time will be from 7 am to 7 pm all day and residents of the Puri municipal area will be allowed to enter for darshan of God from August 16 to 20. According to SOP, from August 23 all devotees will be allowed to enter for the darshan of God. However, the temple will remain closed for public viewing every Saturday and Sunday to clean the temple complex and infections caused by the coronavirus.

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