TV
Bhubaneswar: The nine-month long wait of devotees finally ended on Sunday with the reopening of several shrines across Odisha.
As the major temples across the State opened their doors for public today after a long hiatus due to the Covid-19 restrictions, people can now catch the glimpse of their deities.
Among the famous shrines, Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur, Tara Tarini Temple in Ganjam, Baladebjiew Temple in Kendrapara, and Gorekhnath and Sarala Temples in Jagatsinghpur reopened their doors for public darshan from Sunday.
However, Lingaraj Temple reopened today for the residents of the Capital City only. The temple will be opened exclusively for the citizens of Bhubaneswar from January 3 to 5 by adhering to Covid-19 protocol.
Tourists and devotees of other parts of the State and the country will be allowed entry into the 11th century shrine from January 6. Only servitors and their family members were earlier allowed to enter the temple between December 27 and 31.
Meanwhile, a maximum of 500 devotees will be reportedly allowed to have darshan of Sarala and Gorekhnath between 8AM and 12 AM. However, those aged above 65 years and below 10 years will not be allowed to have darshan of the deities. Devotees from outside districts shall have to produce a Covid-19 negative report before seeking entry into the temple.
As a precautionary measure against Covid-19, both the temples will remain closed for the devotees on Makar Sankranti which will be celebrated on January 14. Both the temples witness a huge rush of devotees on the festive occasion.
Kendrapara sub-sollector Jyoti Shankar Mahapatra informed that only 100 people will be allowed to enter Baladebjiew shrine at any point of time after it reopens.
“Thermal scanning at the entry point, maintaining social distancing, use of hand sanitiser and masks will be mandatory for the devotees visiting the shrine,” he said.
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(Edited by Pradeep Singh)
