Tribune News Service
Amritsar, June 8
The footfall of devotees was low at the Golden Temple and Durgiana Mandir which were reopened officially today.
While taking precautionary measures, ‘karah parshad’ was distributed and langar served to devotees at the Golden Temple complex. This, however, defy the guidelines of the Union and state government in the wake of curbing Covid-19 spread.
SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal had already lodged his contest against putting a ban on ‘parshad’ and langar in gurdwaras. “The ‘karah parshad’ and langar are part and parcel of ‘rehat maryada’ with which the sentiments of devotees are associated. How could these activities be discontinued? But we have been firm on the implementation of precautionary measures like maintaining hygiene and physical distancing. We have asked the government to be lenient on this condition officially,” he said.
Golden Temple’s chief manager Mukhtiar Singh said between 30 and 35 per cent devotees turned up to pay obeisance today compared to normal day’s footfall, yet it tends to increase ahead.
Devotees were made to pass through a makeshift passage where medical teams monitored their temperature and their hands were sanitised. From Darshani Deodi, devotees were made to go inside the Sanctum Sanctorum in batches while maintaining distance from each other.
In Durgiana Mandir, there was scant rush of devotees. President of Durgiana Committee Harish Sharma said, “Since the restrictions over interstate travel were still there, only the locals could come. Compared to normal day’s footfall, today it was around 25 per cent,” he said.
He said langar tradition was carried on as per routine, but offering ‘parshad’ was discontinued for the time being.
from The Tribune https://ift.tt/2UnUVVm
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