Gujarat: Religious places to open, but only for viewing

GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat government on Saturday decided to allow the reopening of religious places, such as temples, mosques, churches, derasars, gurudwaras for devotees in non-containment zones, but only for viewing according to the central government's rules and regulations.
This was decided by chief minister Vijay Rupani in a video-conference in the presence of deputy chief minister Nitin Patel with religious heads and trustees, sants, mahants, maulvis, priests present at district headquarters. He also sought suggestions from them.
The temple managements and organisers will have to ensure that devotees observe safety protocols like maintaining six feet distance between two people, wearing of masks and sanitizing hands with sanitisers to be provided by temple authorities. They should coordinate further with the local government authorities.
Rupani said large places of pilgrimage should start registration counters and control entry by issuing tokens for specific hours. As there are many derasars and upashrays in the state, they should also observe the guidelines issued from time to time.
He said temple authorities have to ensure no other religious rituals, like offering prasad and sprinkling holy water, are performed. He asked devotees not to take senior citizens older than 65 and children along.
Rupani appealed to all religious groups not to hold religious functions, fairs and festivals for another two months.
Notable among those present during the videoconference were Swami Brahmavihariji of BAPS, Jagannath Mandir trustee Mahendra Jha, Kalupur Mandir Swami Nirgundasji, Kheda Vadtal's Sant Swami, Bhavnagar Palitana trustee Shripalbhai, Gandhinagar Mahudi Mandir trustee Rajeshbhai, Somnath Mandir trustee Shri Chavda, Pavagadh Mandir trustee Surendrakaka, Santaram Mandir Ramdasji Maharaj, Dakor Mandir manager Arvind Mehta, Junagadh Juna Akhada Tansukhgiri Bapu, Virpur Mandir Raghuram Bapa, and trustees of Ambaji, Devbhumi Dwarka etc.