Following the permission and guidelines from collector Manish Singh on Monday, doors of temples opened for devotees after 189 days on Tuesday.
Devotees awaiting this day reached various temples early in the morning. Devotees were seen in most temples including Khajrana Ganesh, Ranjit Hanuman Temple and Bada Ganapati.
A large number of devotees were seen from afternoon onwards in all the temples.
Along with Indore, other temples located in Ujjain, even Mahakal temple was opened for the public.
New Normal at Temples
Devotees and priests visiting the temple must follow the rules of Covid-19. They must wash their hands and feet before entering the temple. Further, they must frequently sanitise themselves.
The issued guidelines enforced norms of social distancing, and wearing a mask throughout the time even while praying. It is mandatory for all the devotees, priests to apply the mask properly covering nose and mouth.
Devotees must maintain 6 feet distance throughout the time in the temple. Devotees are not allowed to enter ‘Garbgrah’ as of now.
‘Darshan’ of the deity is allowed from a distance.
Applying tilak and tying of ‘mauli’ is prohibited.
Khajrana Temple
Khajrana temple was opened for devotees after ‘abhishek’ and morning rituals. Satpal Bhatt, the priest of Khajrana temple said, “Following all the protocols, we welcomed devotees to the temple and ensured that they wash themselves before entering the temple premises.”
The temple will be open for devotees from 9 am to 7 pm. No one was allowed to enter the ‘garbgrah’.
“To ensure that people keep moving, we continuously asked the devotees not to gather or crowd in the temple premises,” Bhatt said. He added that about 120 pilgrims were seen in the temple every hour on Tuesday.
Devotees can book and attend online darshan and Abhishek as of now. Only priests are allowed to touch the deity and perform Abhishek and puja.
Children and elderly people have been advised not to visit the temple.
Ranjit Hanuman Temple
Priest of Ranjit Hanuman temple Dipesh Vyas shared the daily routine of Ranjit Hanuman temple following coronavirus protocols has strictly instructed devotees not to bring any items including sweets for worship.
“The darshan time in the temple will be from 6.30 am to 2 pm, then 4 pm to 9 pm,” temple administrator Sunil Jha said. He added now even during aarti, people will be asked to continue moving.
The entire temple will be sanitised 2 to 4 times in a day. Aarti will performed at 9:30 am and 7:30 pm. On Tuesday and Saturday, Sandhya Aarti will be performed at 8 o'clock.