Two ancient and popular temples of the state, the Chhinnamastika temple in Rajrappa and the 9th century Bhadrakali temple in Itkhori, Chatra, opened after seven months, with happy devotees welcoming the goddess whilst maintaining strict Covid guidelines.
Deputy commisisioners Sandip Singh and Divyanshu Jha at Chhinnamastika and Bhadrakali respectively, were taking updates, as officials were asked not allow anyone flouting the rules.
Temple workers check the temperature of a devotee at the Ma Chhinnamastika temple in Ramgarh on Thursday Vishvendu Jaipuriar
At the Chhinnamastika temple, deputy superintendent of police (headquarter) Prakash Soy was seen active with policemen keeping an eye on devotees.
Soy gave instructions regarding Covid guidelines to those coming to the temple.
A free online token for entry to the temple available on rajrappa.in/booking has been made mandatory by district administration.
Policemen on duty at the Ma Chhinnamastika temple in Ramgarh on Thursday Vishvendu Jaipuriar
At the entrance, the temperature of each and every entrant was recorded.
They were also asked to sanitise their hands before entering the sanctum sanctorum, where three people were allowed in at a time.
Inside the temple, priests were wearing masks and hand gloves and they were following the guidelines of not applying tilak to devotees.
Carrying prasad into the sanctum sanctorum was also prohibited.
Devotees entering the Ma Bhadrakali temple in Chatra on Thursday Vishvendu Jaipuriar
The temple committee was initially asked to change the location of the goat sacrifice, which is usually done at the temple campus, to a place near river. But the committee had objected and said this was a practice going on for decades and any change in this regard is against temple norms.
The goat sacrifice took place at the temple campus today from 5am to 6am, and then from 12 noon to 2pm.
At the Bhadrakali temple, devotees, who came from places like Hazaribagh, Chatra and the neighbouring districts of Bihar, including Gaya, were seen chanting Mata Bhadrakali ki jai, waiting patiently in queue claiming it was for their own safety.
The main entrance to Ma Bhadrakali temple in Chatra on Thursday Vishvendu Jaipuriar
At the main gate, devotees entered after a temperature check and exited through a gate leading to the Mahotasava ground.
Police ensured the parking of vehicles at a certain distance and devotees were asked to open footwear somewhere near the parking spot.
Four magistrates were deployed for this purpose and priests kept telling devotees not to violate the guidelines.
