Akshayvat reopens this week, but with fixed timings for darshan

Prayagraj: Clearing the air about the date when the shrine would reopen during the lockdown, authorities have decided that the centuries-old Akshayvat tree, located inside the Allahabad Fort, will reopen for devotees within the next three to four days.
Akshayvat had been closed since the last three months because of the lockdown.
Inspector general of police (Prayagraj range) KP Singh said, “During a meeting convened by Prayagraj Mela Pradhikaran last week, district authorities, police, and army officials decided that Akshayvat would reopen shortly for darshan. It would take around three to four days for the shrine to be sanitized, after which it would reopen this week. After getting Army officials on board, authorities decided that district police would be tasked with the responsibility of managing the devotees. There would be fixed timings for darshan. People would be able to visit Akshayvat between 7am to 12 noon and then from 3pm to 5pm.”
The IG said that authorities would strictly follow the safety protocol when they allow devotees to start visiting the place of worship. Moreover, it would be mandatory for visitors to wear masks.
“We have drafte a security plan for the place of worship and adequate police force would be deployed.” On Monday, a sub-inspector, 10 constables and five women constables were assigned duties at Akshayvat.
Ever since places of worship reopened during the lockdown after government orders on June 5, devotees had been waiting eagerly for Akshayvat to reopen too. The Akshayvat tree was opened to public for the first time during the Kumbh-2019.
He also said devotees would also be able to visit Patalpuri and Saraswati Koop through another route.