Exactly after 204 days , the Kamakhya temple located atop Nilachal Hills in Guwahati opened its doors on Sunday morning for the devotees.
The famous Shakti shrine of Assam remained closed since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The devotees thronged the temple wearing masks and carrying garlands of red hibiscus.
A limited number of visitors perform parikrama of the temple amid strict Covid-19 protocol.
The temple management committee after consulting the district administration has decided to open the gates for the circumambulation.
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Devotees had to undergo Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for COVID-19 at the Kamakhya foothills and whole body sanitization in the sanitization chambers set up for the purpose, before entering the temple.
“We have set up a COVID Rapid Antigen Camp at the base of the Neelachal Hills. Devotees need to get themselves tested and carry the negative test report when they ascend the temple,” said Kabindra Prasad Sharma, Doloi (chief priest) of the temple management committee.
He said that if one has a negative test report done from within three days, then he or she can come directly.
“At the temple entrance, the devotees will get a coupon upon showing the report and then they will have to pass through the sanitisation chambers. We have installed three such chambers for now and if need be, we shall increase the number,” Sharma added.
The notification by the Kamrup (Metro) district authorities has limited the number of devotees to 500 per day.
Children below 10 and adults above 65 will not be allowed to visit. Each devotee will be allowed 15 minutes for parikrama.
“Till date not a single priest of the temple has tested positive for the virus and this is the blessing of Maa,” Sharma said.
The temple closed its doors for the devotees on March 20, a couple of days ahead of the nationwide lockdown.