(Mumbai,Maha) Places of Worship Reopen in Maha;Devotees Visit Temples
Places of religious worship in Maharashtra,were shut since the imposition of COVID-19 lockdown in March
The reopening of the places of worship coincided with the Diwali ‘Padwa’, which is an important festival in the state.
Early in the morning, devotees were seen visiting Lord Vitthal’s temple at Pandharpur in Satara, Saibaba’s shrine in Shirdi, Goddess Tulja Bhavani’s temple in Osmanabad and the famous Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday announced reopening of the places of worship, but also cautioned people, saying it cannot be forgotten that the “demon of coronavirus” still persists and called for following discipline.
The issue had also led to a stand-off between Thackeray and state Governor B S Koshyari, who reminded the Shiv Sena president of his Hindutva credentials and asked if he had turned secular.
Touching of statues, holy books, idols is not allowed and large gatherings continue to remain prohibited.
In view of the potential threat of spread of the coronavirus infection, only recorded devotional music should be played, and choir or singing groups are not allowed, as per the SOPs.
Floors at places of worship should be cleaned multiple times in a day, and community kitchens and ‘langars’ should follow physical distancing, the guidelines said.