Assam: Although places of worship reopen, Kamakhya Devalaya remains shut for visitors

Guwahati: With temples, churches, and mosques opening their doors to devotees after a long gap due to the coronavirus-triggered lockdown, devotees of Maa Kamakhaya Devalaya still await the temple authorities to open the iconic temple, which is one of the 51 Shakti peethas in the nation.

After the Ministry of External Affairs has issued guidelines that the Religious Places will be open from June 8, the Kamakhya Authorities announced right away that the temple doors would be kept closed, at least till June 30.

Kamakya Devalaya is not going to open anytime soon and although the board members are deliberating on the issue, it is likely to open on July 1st, said Kapindra Prasad Sarma. "Given the kind of tourists and pilgrims Kamakhya attracts, we might not be able to adhere to strict social distancing norms as required to contain a potential outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic", said Kapindra Prasad Sarma, the Saru Doloi of the temple. At the same time, the historic Ambubachi Mela has also been cancelled. Moreover, the stay and fooding for the ascetics, who congregate each year at the Kamakhya temple, has not been arranged this year either.

Places of worship have opened in Assam from today. Morning prayers were offered and most of the prominent temples like the Balaji Mandir and the Basistha Mandir saw a few devotees who had come to offer prayers. "We are following the Government guidelines. We have made certain arrangements for the devotees such as waiting halls, and seats. According to the guidelines, only 20 devotees will be allowed in at a time. The ones who will be waiting to get in will be seated", said an official of the Balaji Temple, that saw not more than 35 visitors since morning.

The temple has made all arrangements to comply with social distancing norms as laid down by the government. Only 20 people at a time would be allowed in places of worship. The number would be less in religious places with smaller areas. 

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