Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will decide whether or not to reopen the 12th century shrine in Puri on Wednesday. Today, the SJTA will hold a meeting where a decision on the matter is expected.
From August 1, the Odisha government allowed religious institutions to reopen with appropriate Covid-19 restrictions.
SJTA chief administrator Krishan Kumar convened the virtual meeting, which will take place later today. Puri’s magistrate-cum-collector, superintendent of police, chief district medical officer, and temple coordination committee members will be in attendance.
Officials will assess the state’s Covid situation before deciding when the Jagannath temple will be open to devotees.
In its August guideline, the state government stated unequivocally that the SJTA, Puri, and the Shree Lingaraj Temple Administration, Bhubaneswar, may decide to reopen temples under their management for public darshan after consulting with stakeholders and following Covid-19 safety protocols.
In April, when the secind wave of the coronavirus disease was at its peak, the SJTA banned pilgrims from entering the temple. All of the temple’s daily rituals are carried out by servants and other temple personnel.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, devotees were unable to participate in the Rath Yatra in July. Following Supreme Court orders, a large number of priests pulled the three colourful chariots in Puri without the presence of any public.
Rath Yatra is one of Odisha’s most important festivals, commemorating Lord Jagannath and his siblings’ annual journey from the 12th century Jagannath temple to their aunt’s abode in Gundicha temple, 2.5 kilometres away. Lord Jagannath is said to have taken the form in which he is currently worshipped at the Gundicha temple.
