PONDA: A meeting of presidents and secretaries of the nine major temples at Mahalsa Devasthan, Mardol on Sunday decided to postpone the reopening of nine main temples till further notice due to the increasing COVID-19 cases in the State.
The nine temples include Shree Mangesh Devasthan, Mangeshi; Shree Shantadurga Devasthan, Kavlem; Shree Ramnath Devasthan Ramnathim; Shree Mahalsa Devasthan Mardol; Shree Nagesh Devasthan, Nageshi-Bandora; Shree Mahalakshmi Devasthan Bandora; Shree Devki Krishna Devasthan, Marcel; Shree Kamaxi Devasthan, Shiroda and Shree Ramnath Damodar Devasthan, Zambaulim.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Addressing media persons after the meeting, Ramnath Devasthan president Pravas Naik said, “All the presidents of nine major temples held meeting to discuss on government Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for reopening of temples from June 8. However, due to increasing COVID-19 cases in Goa, we have postponed the reopening of these temples till further notice. Further the government SoPs are also impossible to follow practically. There is also Section 144 in force in Goa. We will meet again to discuss on COVID-19 situation and decide.”
The Centre has already issued SOPs for reopening of religious places from June 8.
It is pertinent to note that COVID lockdown has snatched away the livelihood of flower vendors, shopkeepers, auto-rickshaw drivers and cabbies operating near the temples.
Several flower vendors, especially women besides shop owners, who depend on temples for their livelihood were disappointed with the decision, as devotees purchase flowers and other items during their temple visits.
A vendor complained that since lockdown he has no other source of livelihood.
Besides, many taxi and rickshaw operators are worried that they will have no customers till the temples reopen.
