Odishatv Bureau

Puri: The holy Pankodhar Neeti of Shri Lokanath will be observed under strict COVID restrictions on Tuesday as directed by the local district administration.

As per tradition, the auspicious occasion which comes once every year witnesses the prime Shiva lingam at the shrine emerge from the year-long accumulation of flowers, water, milk and other puja essentials offered by the devotees.

Pankodhar, which essentially means 'recover from mud' gets its name from the sacred practice of cleaning of the lingam by servitors in presence of thousands of devotees at the centuries-old shrine.

Every year on this day, devotees get a rare chance of having a clear view of the deity of Shri Lokanath. So people from far and wide throng the temple to pay darshan to Shri Loknath on this auspicious occasion.

But this year, due to pandemic restrictions, the local administration has forbidden residents and outside devotees from visiting the shrine.

Keeping an eye on the ongoing COVID restrictions, Puri district administration has declared 200 meters around the temple as no-entry zone for the devotees. To avoid any untoward incidents, the authorities have deployed 15 platoons of police force.

The temple authority has been directed to conduct the ritual with only selected Sebayats under strict adherence to Covid guidelines.

Bhabatarana Sahu, Sub-Collector of Puri said, "As the state is now witnessing new COVID cases, so the holy ritual of Pankodhar Neeti will be conducted under the COVID guidelines provided by the state government. Usually the ritual takes 3 hours for completion but this time around, it may take more than usual as the neeti will be conducted by limited sebayats. Though the devotees are allowed to enter the temple after 2 pm but no one is permitted to enter inside the Gambhira of the temple," Sahu added.

While briefing media Puri SP, Kanwar Vishal Singh said, "Police will ensure a hassle-free visit for the devotees for darshan after completion of the ritual but all the devotees are required to follow the COVID guidelines and help the police to maintain law and order."

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