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Bhubaneswar: The enforcement squad of Commissionerate Police today prevented women performing worships at some temples in Old Town area on the occasion of Sabitri Brata even as congregation of devotees at shrines across the State has been restricted in view of Covid-19 pandemic.
The police, on a tip-off, reached some temple premises in the old town where married women were performing rituals as part of Sabitri Brata, flouting lockdown norms. Police discouraged them to congregate at temples and advised them to perform the same at their respective homes.
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Police also warned the priests of the respective temples of action if they violate the lockdown guidelines.
Meanwhile, police launched a special rive to deal with the norm violators who gathered at market places and haats in Bhubaneswar. A squad led by DCP (Security) Nirmal Satpathy carried out raids at various market complexes in the city and imposed fines on violators.
Around 30 violators who have rushed to local markets riding bikes have been fined today.
The Government has imposed ban on entry of devotees into any temple across Odisha to avoid heavy rush that would help break out the Covid-19.
The Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri which has remained closed for the devotees has made special arrangements for sale of Abadha for devotees especially married women on the sacred occasion.
The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has made elaborate arrangements for the devotees to get the Prasad in strict adherence to social distancing norms.
To ensure availability of Abadha to all, as many as 10 counters will remain opened at North and South gates of the shrine for the sale of the pious delicacies.
Suara Sevayatas will distribute tokens and the devotees can receive the Prasad on production of the vouchers at any of the counters, SJTA sources said.
In view of high humid condition, the temple administration has set up make-shift shed and installed drinking water kiosks for the devotees.
Due to lockdown restrictions in the wake of the ongoing pandemic situation, women could be seen this year performing the Sabitri rituals at homes unlike earlier.
Usually, Hindu married women perform special worships at various temples on occasion of Sabitri festival praying for the well-being and long life of their husbands.
Temples across the State wore a deserted look due to closure order by the government amid lockdown curbs.
