Puri,May 16 : Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has extended the closure of temple for devotees till June 15 next in view of surge in Covid+ve cases during the second wave.
Jagannath temple Chief Administrator Dr.Krishan Kumar said on Sunday a review meeting of all concerned officials including collector Samarth Verma, additional SP unanimously resolved to close the temple for the devotees till June 15 next.
The decision was taken to protect the servitors from the grip of coronavirus as the process for Rath Yatra has begun and the 21 days Chandan Yatra is in progress.
If servitors and their families were infected with the virus it would be detrimental for performing nitee-kanti of the deities, Dr.Kumar said.
The servitors are performing the daily nitees and rituals of the deities continuing the age old tradition. The meeting felt that the servitors engaged in the daily rituals of the deities should remain in good health and protected from the virus.
The standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Sri Jagannath temple issued earlier would continue and the administration will review it from time to time,SJTA sources said.(UNI)