Covid-19 negative report not required for entry into Jagannath Temple

Bhubaneswar: Production of Covid-19 negative report will not be mandatory for devotees to enter Jagannath Temple in Puri from January 21, said an official on Sunday.

After a meeting, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Sunday relaxed the norms for entry into the 12th-century shrine.

SJTA chief administrator Krishan Kumar informed that devotees will no longer have to submit COVID-19 negative report while coming to Puri Srimandir for darshan of the deities from January 21.

While the general darshan of devotees will start from 7 AM, Puri residents can avail the darshan from 6 AM.

However, the devotees have to follow the Covid-19 guidelines such as hand washing, wearing of masks and social distancing.

Puri Collector Samarth Varma said that special arrangements, queue system will be introduced for senior citizens coming to Srimandir for darshan of the deities.