Puri: In view of a surge in the Covid-19 cases, the Puri Srimandir will remain out of bounds for the devotees once in a week for sanitisation.
"It was decided at the Chhattisha Nijog meeting yesterday that the temple would remain closed for devotees at least once a week for sanitisation work. We will issue an order regarding this after Dola festival,” Puri Collector Samarth Verma said.
However, the closure day is yet to be decided, he added.
A discussion in this regard was held at the Chhatisa Nijog meeting on Tuesday in presence of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar, Collector Samarth Verma and SP Kanwar Vishal Singh.
Discussion was also held on the smooth conduct of the rituals on Dola Purnima on March 28. The Collector had a meeting with Mekapa and Singhari servitors in this regard.
Both the servitors’ groups have reportedly agreed to ensure timely rituals unlike Nagarajuna Besha and Pousha Purnima during which all the rituals had got delayed by around six hours.
Meanwhile, the temple administration has decided to strictly enforce Covid protocols on the temple premises.