Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, May 29: Temples will be open for devotees from June 1 onwards. But the muzrai department is preparing not to allow dispensing of the customary holy water or Prasadam in token of the deity's blessings to the devotees. At the same time, devotees will be restrained from carrying with them any types of puja materials like coconuts, fruits, flower, Tulsi twigs etc when entering the temples.

The draft circular prepared to list out precautions to be undertaken in all temples to stop spread of coronavirus has these proposals.

The devotees can only have Darshan of the Lord and prostrate before the deities. They cannot take part in any of the festivities related to the temple or perform services. Even the devotees who book services online will only get to have the Darshan of the deity. The proposed circular also plans to ban annual car festivals, fairs etc where large number of people come together, temporarily till further orders.

Meetings which are necessarily to be held inside the temples can be held with a limited number by maintaining social distance. When hiring the temple space or halls of the temples for marriage and other programmes, they should adhere to the guidelines issued by the central and state governments relating to COVID-19.

As per the draft circular, checking of body temperature is a must at the entrance. The devotees should wear masks or kerchiefs around their mouths and noses. Everyone should clean hands with sanitisers at the entrance. The devotees should maintain distance of one metre between them. Disinfectants should be used in outer and inner precincts of the temples to maintain cleanliness. Priests, assistants and other indoor staff should wear masks in all places other than the inner space. Temple officials and employees should compulsorily wear masks.