Kamakhya Devalaya to finally reopen its doors to visitors tomorrow; COVID-19 negative report mandatory

Guwahati: The historic Kamakhya temple will finally reopen to visitors on Sunday (October 10), months after closing down in view of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The temple authorities have made rapid antigen tests mandatory for those entering the temple. The testing will be done at the medical camp organized by the health department near the entry point at the foothill.

Kabindra Sarma, the Doloi (or Head Priest) of the Kamakhya Devalaya informed The Sentinel Digital that the inner sanctum sanctorum, the main part of the temple, shall remain closed till Durga Puja (to be held later this month).

"The temple will open for parikrama only, and the main portion shall remain closed to devotees. At the base of the hill, they will be subjected to a rapid antigen test. Those who have been tested negative within 3 days can simply proceed up and show the report. COVID-19 negative persons shall be allowed to proceed further, and each devotee shall be given a token number using which they can do darshan. No entry shall be permitted without a face mask and everyone will have to maintain social distancing," Sharma said. "We are ready to receive at least 500 visitors on day one. However, the number of devotees who are allowed in might increase later, based on our preparedness."

Sarma further informed us that the Kamakhya Devalaya Complex gate will remain open from 8 am till sunset on normal days. However, the timing may be changed during Navaratri and Durga Puja when the footfall tends to be higher.

Then they will have to collect an Entry Card from the Annakshetra office situated in front of Chinnamasta/Kameswar Mandir & proceed to the Devalaya complex. The devotees shall then have to go through the Thermal screening a sanitization chamber at the main gate.

Sarma further informed that the maximum time allotment for each devotee will be 15 minutes.

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