Puri: With reopening of Srimandir after 9 months of closure due to COVID-19 pandemic, the residents of Puri town were allowed into the temple today to have holy glimpse of Lord Jagannath and divine siblings.
As per slots for darshan allotted by the Puri district administration, the residents of ward number 2, 3, 6, 9, 11, 12 and 15 will be permitted to have darshan of deities in phases starting from 7.30 am till 9.00 pm.
While residents of ward numbers 6 and 9 were allowed to have darshan between 7.30 am and 11.30 am, locals of ward numbers 12 and 15 will have permission for entry into the temple from 12.00 pm and 4.00 pm.
Similarly, the residents of ward numbers 2, 3 and 11 can have darshan between 4.30 pm and 9.00 pm.
Till the last report came in, as many as 1200 devotees had already completed darshan of Lord Jagannath.
According to reports, each ward has been allotted 4-hour slot for darshan. The token and identity proofs are mandatory to be produced before the security personnel deployed at the Singhadwara of the temple. The token will be handed over to the head of each family through Anganwagi, ASHA workers and other volunteers.
Sources said that the devotees are being allowed into the temple with strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. As many as 8 kiosks have been set up for smooth darshan and 18 platoons of police personnel have been deployed to monitor the law and order situation.
The locals of Puri town can have darshan of deities inside Srimandir till December 31 evening. On January 1 and 2, the temple will remain closed for devotees in view of heavy influx of pilgrims during New Year. On January 3 onwards, the Jagannath Temple in Puri will again reopen for Puri town residents as well as for others.