Puri: It looks like hope for public darshan of the rare Nagarjuna Besha of Lord Jagannath on November 27 this year is all but finished. More than that, devotees might also not be able to see the Holy Trinity in 2020.
In a major decision on reopening of the 12th century-shrine, the managing committee of the temple on Tuesday said that it will take around four weeks of preparations to come up with the necessary arrangements for the resumption of the darshan in the temple by third week of December.
Moreover, a committee has been constituted to make all the necessary arrangements ready within next four weeks, informed Shree Jagannath Temple Adminsitration (SJTA) Chief Administrator, Krishan Kumar.
“It will take another four weeks’ time to prepare a blueprint and keep requisite infrastructure ready before allowing devotees to have darshan of the sibling deities at Puri Jagannath temple. We hope that we will be ready and complete all necessary ground work by December third week,” said Kumar after Temple Managing Committee meeting today.
Kumar further informed that a committee comprising Puri Collector, SP and other administrative officials has been constituted to supervise and finalise what arrangements will be made and how many devotees can be allowed inside Puri temple after it reopens. The devotees will be allowed with strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.
A meeting will also be held with Chhattisa Nijog as the servitors help will be required for ensuring smooth conduct of rituals and darshan by devotees when the temple reopens, the SJTA chief administrator said.
“As the temple was closed following Odisha government’s decision in view of the COVID-19 outbreak in March this year, we will wait for necessary instructions from the government. However, we will make all things ready by December third week and whenever the State government decides, we will allow devotees inside the temple for darshan,” Kumar added.
Millions of devotees are waiting to with bated breath to have darshan of the Lord. However, appropriate decision will be taken keeping in view of COVID-19 situation, the SJTA official said.
“We will hold consultations with all the servitor groups and make necessary infrastructure ready within four weeks and await for final decision of the State government. The committee will prepare necessary SOPs for devotees,” Kumar said.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)