SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Team Herald
PONDA: Months after COVID-19 lockdown, the Shree Shantadurga Temple at Kavlem is all set to reopen its doors for devotees from Monday (July 6 ) onwards. However, strict social distancing and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will have to be followed by the devotees.
The temple will remain open from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 7 pm.
Eager to visit temple to get a darshan of goddess, the devotees and Mahajans expressed happiness over the decision to reopen the temple.
Meanwhile, the Manguesh temple closure has been extended till July 19, but the temple committee will review the situation on July 12. Two COVID positive cases were detected in Veling Priol Cuncoliem Panchayat area.
Secretary of Shantadurga Temple Committee Dileep Gaitonde said, “We are reopening temple by following strict safety, sanitisation and social distancing norms including markings at temple premises. Besides wearing of masks and practising social distancing, only 20 devotees/ Mahajans will be allowed inside the temple. The devotees/Mahajans cannot offer otti, khan, coconut, fruits and flowers, but can offer cash against receipt.”
“The details of SOP for devotees/Mahajans has been displayed on board at temple premises. Proper security arrangement has been made in temple area,” Gaitonde informed.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Mahalaxmi Temple, Bandora is likely to open soon for devotees/ Mahajans while the other temples are likely to declare their dates soon.
It may be recalled that temples in Goa remained closed during lockdown in view of the COVID pandemic. However, the government allowed their reopening wide notification with effect from June 8. However, due to the rising cases, most temples deferred their reopening.
