SOP for Chintpurni temple issued, no puja for pilgrims

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, September 8

The state government today issued the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Chintpurni shrine in Una district that is lying closed due the Covid outbreak.

The guidelines wouldalso be applicable to other shrines in Kangr district such as the Jawalamukhi temple, Brajeshwari temple, Baijnath temple and the Chamuna Devi temple that are likely to open for pigrims on September 10.

According to the SOP, not more than 500 pilgrims would be allowed in the Chintpurni temple in a day. Only pilgrims, who do not have Covid symptoms, would be allowed to pay obeisance at the temple. If any pilgrim with symptoms comes to the shrine, he or she would be admitted to the Covid care centre and would be allowed to return only after testing negative for the virus.

All pilgrims coming for darshan at the temples would have to download the Arogya Setu application of the Central Government, maintain social distancing, sanitise their hands and wear masks. They would gather at one place initially and then proceed through the gates of the temples following the SOP.

The pilgrims would have to keep their shoes in their vehicles or at the old bus stand and keep a minimum distance of six feet between themselves. The touching of idols, bells and holy books has been totally prohibited and so is singing with ‘dhol nagara’. The sprinkling of holy water or offering or taking prasad has also been banned. The pilgrims from other states would require booking for a minimum two-day stay at one or multiple places in the state. They would have to produce a Covid-negative report from ICMR-recognised laboratories. Any person, who has recovered from Covid and carries a Covid-negative report from a recognised laboratory, would be free to pay obeisance at the temples.

People above the age of 60 with comorbidity and children below the age of 10 have been advised to stay home.

Pujaris have been barred from offering ‘molis’ or perform puja for individuals or groups or perform ‘Kanya pujan’. Only two pujaris would be present in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple at a time. They have also been barred from performing havans for the pilgrims.

The temple management has been directed to keep toilets sanitised, provide adequate protective gears to all staff and make adequate provision for the registration and medical screening of pilgrims.

THE GUIDELINES

• Not more than 500 pilgrims will be allowed in a day to pay obeisance at the Chintpurni temple
• All pilgrims will have to download the Arogya Setu application of the Central Government, maintain social distancing, sanitise their hands and wear masks
• The pilgrims from other states will require booking for a minimum two-day stay at one or multiple places in the state
• They must carry a Covid-negative report from ICMR-recognised laboratories. The pilgrims will have to keep their shoes in their vehicles or at the old bus stand
• The touching of idols, bells and holy books has been totally prohibited and so is singing with ‘dhol nagara’. The sprinkling of holy water or offering or taking prasad has also been banned