In the wake of an ongoing Covid resurgence, fresh restrictions have been imposed at all temples in Mathura and Vrindavan.
In the wake of the mounting Covid-19 cases in the districts, restrictions have been put in various Mathura and Vrindaban temples. The restrictions were imposed after 185 persons tested positive on Monday and 235 the day before, bringing the district’s total active cases to 739.
To limit the number of devotees, the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan has reinstated an online registration system.
For visitors from other states, an RT-PCR negative test report is now required.
The temple management has been directed to set up a testing desk at the entry gate for thermal scanning, hand sanitizing, and ensuring that visitors wear masks, according to Archana Singh, civil judge (junior division), who has ordered the deployment of police and paramilitary force at the Banke Bihari temple for strict implementation of Covid-19 guidelines. Every day, a significant number of people, including residents and tourists, visit the temples of Banke Bihari to receive ‘darshan’ of Banke Bihari.
The ‘parikrama’ of the Dwarkadhish temple has been prohibited in Mathura. Prasad and charnamrit distribution have also been halted. Devotees will not be able to stay in the temple for long periods of time.
Only two gates would be open for devotee admission and exit, according to Rakesh Tewari, public relations officer and legal counsel for the Dwarkadhish temple management. This is to maintain social distance.
