Puri: Against the backdrop of novel corona crisis, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Thursday announced suspension of public darshan at Jagannath Temple here.
However, daily rituals will be performed as usual.
“Decision has been taken to cancel public darshan from tomorrow till March 31 as precautionary measure against the Coronavirus aka COVID-19 outbreak. The daily rituals will be performed as usual,” SJTA Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar told media persons here.
The 12th shrine receives around 30,000 devotees daily.
The temple administration suspended the public darshan to prevent congregation of devotees on the shrine premises thereby avoiding spread of the virus.
Earlier this week, the SJTA introduced coronavirus self-declaration forms from devotees before allowing them access to the shrine. The administration also streamlined the darshan system and allowed at least 2-metre gap between devotees in queue to catch glimpse of the deities in the sanctum sanctorum.
