This story is from June 1, 2020

Bihar: Major religious places to reopen from June 8

Almost all the registered 4,500 religious places are likely to reopen for devotees on June 8 after a gap of more than two months, but with all precautions against Covid-19 and proper management of the crowd, assert the trustees.
Bihar: Major religious places to reopen from June 8
<p>Maa tara temple close during nationwide lockdown in Patna (File photo)<br></p>
PATNA/GAYA: Almost all the registered 4,500 religious places are likely to reopen for devotees on June 8 after a gap of more than two months, but with all precautions against Covid-19 and proper management of the crowd, assert the trustees.
The Mahavir Mandir near Patna Junction will be open for Hindu devotees on June 8, said its trust secretary Kishore Kunal. He said the number of visitors would be restricted, keeping in view the social distancing norm.
The temple is visited by about 30,000 to 50,000 people on Tuesdays and Saturdays and more than 15,000 on any other day. But this number would automatically be reduced by more than a half when it reopens after the lockdown, he said.
Kunal said devotees would be allotted different time slot alphabetically for the temple visit and they would have to request for it online. The morning ‘aarti’ would be performed at 6am and the darshan would be allowed till 9pm. Request for offering ‘naivedyam’ would also have to be made online beforehand.
The Takhat Shri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib, which happens to be the birthplace of Guru Govind Singh, would also reopen on June 8, maintaining social norms, said its general secretary M S Dhillon. “We have already been running langer for the people all through the lockdown period and the same would be resumed on a larger scale, but taking all preventive measures. Though the shrine complex has enough space, people from outside would hardly visit the temple for the coming six months or a year and, hence, the crowd would automatically be controlled,” Dhillon added.
The famous Vishnupad Temple at Gaya will also reopen on June 8 with a set of new protocol. According to Mahesh Guput, a leading panda and prominent member of the shrine management committee, arrangements will be made for use of non-alcoholic disinfectants in the shrine as Lord Vishnu.
According to Mahesh, besides a couple of priests, only five devotees will be allowed inside the shrine at a time. Separate entry and exit points are being developed, he said.
Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee secretary N Dorje said a decision on the shrine reopening will be taken after proper study of the government guidelines and local conditions. He will discuss the issue with the management committee chairman and Gaya DM before making any announcement, Dorje said.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA