Assam: Kamakhya temple to reopen for parikrama from Sunday

GUWAHATI: The Kamakhya Devalaya Management Committee has decided to open the doors of the temple complex for the devotees to perform parikrama from Sunday. The committee, in a statement issued on Saturday said the maximum time allotment for each devotee will be 15 minutes, as social distancing has to be maintained.
However, the temple’s main doors that lead to the sanctum sanctorum will remain closed owing to the Covid threat, temple management officials said.
“The inner sanctum sanctorum will remain closed. This has been done as per discussion with the district administration. The devotees and others will have to follow Covid guidelines issued by the government in order to prevent the spread of the virus,” a spokesperson of the temple management committee informed.
The statement issued by the committee stated that the Devalaya complex gate will remain open from 8 am till sunset on normal days. However, the timing may be changed during Navratri and Durga Puja.
“The devotees will have to undergo rapid antigen test for Covid-19 at the medical camp organised by the health department near the entry point at Nursery (Kamakhya Foothill). Those who have tested within the last 3 days can travel (inside the temple complex) after showing their reports,” read the statement.
It added, “After reaching the (Kamakhya) hilltop, the devotees will have to show their reports to the security persons and proceed further. Then they will have to collect entry card from Annakshetra office situated in front of Chinnamasta/Kameswar Mandir and proceed to the Devalaya complex. They will have to go through the Thermal screening and sanitation chamber at the main gate.”
The temple has been closed since March 20 owing to the pandemic.