Bhubaneswar: The Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar along with several other shrines across Odisha reopened for devotees today.
Taking into consideration the reopening of Lingaraj Temple in Odisha capital, those visiting the temple will have to produce COVID negative reports obtained during the last 5 days.
From 03.01.2021 to 05.01.2021, the temple will be opened exclusively for the citizens of Bhubaneswar by observing strict COVID-19 safety protocol,” informed the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Only sevayats and their family members were allowed to enter the temple from 27.12.2020 to 31.12.2020.
From 06.01.2021, tourists and devotees from other parts of the state/country will be allowed inside the temple.
At one point of time, a maximum of 500 nos. of devotees will be allowed from Singhadwar to Ada Katha till 31.01.2021.
Thermal screening centre and antigen test centre near the temple will be made functional from 03.01.2021 to 15.01.2021 in two batches from 7.00 A.M to 10.00 P.M.
The antigen testing is mandatory for those who come with close contact of the public such as Sevayats (servitors), Police Personnel on duty, flower sellers, Samarth sevaks etc.
All the devotees will have to wear mask appropriately at all times. Social distancing of six feet has to be maintained at all times by all the devotees. Hand washing/hand sanitiser facility for the devotees will be provided by the temple trust at entry and exit points.
“Spitting inside & outside the premises and chewing of PAN /Ghutka is strictly prohibited. The person with SARI / ILi like symptoms shall not be allowed inside the temple. Other vulnerable groups of people such as a person with co-morbidities, old age persons, pregnant women or children below 10 years of age are advised not to visit the temple,” the BMC order further read.
Participants who have returned from overseas shall have to abide by the protocols for quarantine/isolation issued by Govt. of India / Govt. of Odisha from time to time before visiting the temple.
Similarly, the temple of Goddess Samaleswari has also been opened from today. Devotees will visit the shrine in two phases.
The first phase is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., while the second phase is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. So locals can visit for 5 days from today.
Meanwhile, the famous Kailash Temple in Dhenkanal has also opened today. Today, on the first day, only Sevayat’s family has been allowed for darshan. Residents of Dhenkanal district will have the opportunity to visit tomorrow. This will be followed by a general visitation from the 14th.
The famous Baldevjiu Temple in Kendrapara has also opened today. Meanwhile, only 100 persons will be allowed to enter the shrine.
The Maa Tarini and Maa Tara Tarini temples have also opened today.
