Kamakhya Temple in Assam has been closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Guwahati:
After being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic, the famous Kamakhya temple in Assam is expected to open to worshipers from September 28, the state government said.
Only 500 worshipers will be allowed to enter the temple per day for which passes must be purchased online.
The temple atop the Nilachal Hills, one of the four Maha-Shaktipeethas, was for the first time since the 16th century, when it was renovated by the Koch dynasty, closed in the middle of the four days Ambubachi Mela – the largest religious congregation in the northeast to celebrate the goddess Shakti Maa Kamakhya. the Ambubachi Mela was also canceled due to the pandemic.
According to Kamakhya Devaloy Bor Doloi (chief priest) Mohit Sarma, the temple had more than 1,500 to 2,000 worshipers per day before. The festival, meanwhile, has attracted over 20-25 lakh worshipers from around the world.
“However, we will follow government guidelines to ensure the safety of people. These are difficult times,” Sarma said.
The Assam government has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for operating the temple amid the pandemic.
According to the SOP, temple authorities must issue online passes to worshipers with time stamps so that there are no more than 100 people inside the premises at a time. Devotees will only be allowed to stay inside for 15 minutes.
A medical team will be stationed at the temple office that will test devotees for the coronavirus, and only those who test negative in rapid antigen tests will be allowed in.
