Unlock 1.0: Temples witness fewer footfalls of devotees in Guwahati

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: As a part of Unlock 1.0 the government issued guidelines for reopening the temples, churches, masjids and other religious places. After 75 days of lockdown most of the city temples witnessed fewer footfalls of devotees on Monday.

Talking to The Sentinel Girindra Mohan Sarma, Doloi of Basistha Temple, said, "We are opening the temple from 7 am to 7 pm. Entry on the temple's premises is prohibited for the people who are not wearing face masks. We have arranged water tap. Entry to the Manikut is now strictly prohibited. The devotees are allowed to come and pray with mantrocharan (chanting mantras). However, we have made some arrangements for events like marriage and churakaran or upanayan ceremony, but with a limited number of people. There are no arrangements for prasad and nirmali."

Subhash Sarma, the Managing Committee secretary of Navagraha temple said, "We have witnessed around 30 to 35 devotees and everything went quite well. We would like to urge the devotees to come by following the government's guidelines. We are allowing only 20 persons at one time and have also made arrangements for the pujaris so as to maintain social distancing. Whereas 11 pujaris will attend the duty for seven days, the next seven days will be maintained by 11 others."

The Ugratara Devalaya and Latasil Ganesh Mandir too were opened for the devotees on Monday. Whereas around 50-60 devotees visited Ugratara Devalaya from 7 am to 1 pm, the Latasil Ganesh Mandir witnessed footfall of around 20 devotees.

Ram Chandra Sarma, a Pujari of the Lachit Nagar Hanuman Mandir, said that though they have reponed the temple, only two people are allowed to offer prayers at one time. Sarma said, "Around 10-15 people visited today. However, we have made a little change in the time. The temple will be closed before half an hour than the earlier time."

Suresh Chandra Bhattacharya and Kailash Sarma, the president and secretary of All Assam Devalaya Sangha, expressed their gratitude to the government for allowing the temples to reopen. Both expressed the hope that from now on different people whose financial aspect is related with temples will now get some relief.

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