Bhubaneswar: Finally the wait of all the devotees of Lord Jagannath is over as Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided to open Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri from August 16.
The decision was taken after a meeting between SJTA officials and Chhatisa Nijog on Wednesday. The residents of Puri will be able to visit the temple from August 16, however people from outside Odisha can visit the temple from August 23.
The temple will remain closed on Saturday and Sunday due to the weekend shutdown.The temple will remain open for devotees from 7 am to 8 pm.
The Chief Administrator of SJTA Krishan Kumar informed that for the first five days only the residents of Puri will be allowed to visit the temple.
However, devotees will have to produce either a final vaccination certificate or negative report of RTPCR test done 96 hours prior to the visit.
He further informed that COVID test of servitors, officials and others who participated in the Rath Yatra held in July this year will be carried out from August 8.