TNI Bureau:  Good news for lakhs of devotees as Jagannath Temple in Puri will be reopened for general public in New Year.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Krishan Kumar on Saturday informed that devotees will be abled to witness Lord Jagannath shortly.

As per plans, the general darshan by devotees to the 12th century shrine will be allowed from January 3, 2021 following Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) & Covid-19 guidelines. The temple will remain closed on January 1 and 2 in view of possibility of footfall of devotees.

Initially, maximum of 5,000 devotees will be allowed inside the temple per day after January 3, 2021. Gradually steps will be taken to streamline the darshan as usual after a gape of two to three months time.

COVID-19 negative certificate will be mandatory for entry into the temple.

The SJTA urges elderly people above 65 years of age and children not to visit the temple in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.