SHIMLA: Devotees thronged temples in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday morning on the first day of their reopening after almost six months of closure owing to the coronavirus outbreak.
The decision to reopen temples was taken after the government advisory to avoid mass gatherings and ensure people above 65, those with co-morbid conditions, pregnant women and children below 10 not to visit the temples.
The popular temples of Naina Devi in Bilaspur, Chintpurni in Una, Baba Balak Nath in Hamirpur, Brajeshwari Devi, Jwalaji and Chamunda Devi in Kangra, and Bhimakali and Hateshwari in Shimla district witnessed the arrival of devotees.
A majority of the pilgrims came from within the state with the interstate movement still restricted, officials told IANS.
"As per the state government's SOP (standard operating procedure), we are not allowing more than 500 pilgrims in the temple in a day," an official at the Naina Devi shrine told IANS over phone.
Also the pilgrims would have to download the Arogya Setu application, maintain physical distance, sanitise their hands and wear masks.
For those who can't visit the temple, the government has advised them to watch online live "darshan" of Brajeshwari Devi, Naina Devi, Chintpurni and Jwalaji temples. They would also be able to offer online offerings.
Also the famous shrine Mata Chintpurni in July launched the home delivery of "prasad bhog" through India Post.