The doors of the Pahari Baba temple in the capital were closed for visitors from Saturday “till further orders”, and Ma Bhadrakli temple at Itkhori, Chatra, till March 31, while the Ranchi Catholic Archdiocese suspended all church-related gatherings and para-liturgical services till March 31 in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

Ranchi DC Rai Mahimapat Ray, who is also the ex officio president of Pahari Mandir Vikas Samiti, issued a notification about closing the temple for the time being, a copy of which is with The Telegraph.

“It is being notified to all common citizens that in the view of coronavirus threat, a decision to prohibit the entry of common devotees has been taken as a precautionary measure. In the wake of the decision, it is requested from common citizens, tourists and devotees that they do not enter the temple till further orders. During this period, priests will close the door of the temple after puja,” the notification reads.

Earlier on March 19, the temple management distributed masks on no-profit no-loss basis among devotees reaching the temple and arranged hand sanitizers.

St Mary's Cathedral at Purulia Road in Ranchi on Saturday.

Suspending church-related gatherings and para-liturgical services till March 31, Archbishop Felix Toppo and Auxiliary Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas in a letter to “Dear Fathers, Sisters, Brothers and People of God”, said: “These are difficult times for humanity as we are faced with uncertainty, fear and panic as it appears that Covid-19 is threatening the health and lives of people”.

They added the temporary steps had to be taken “for greater good and for the sake of each other”.

The Holy Mass will continue but the faithful are exempted from Sunday obligations during this emergency period, the letter informed.

The steps were taken in line with advice by the central and state governments, the letter said, adding, “we feel sad that we have to take the measures that affect our community beliefs and hinder our collective prayer”. They also assured these were “temporary measures” and would be reviewed after March 31.

Reminding that “fear is more dangerous than disease”, they advised followers not to panic but to take safety measures against infection.

All churches will however remain open for personal prayer and visits to the Blessed Sacrament, they assured.

The senior clergymen also advised people to follow WHO guidelines such as social distancing, washing hands, not touching eyes, nose and mouth and seeking medical assistance when needed.

In Hazaribagh, a meeting of the Ma Bhadrakli temple committee in Itkhori of Chatra on Saturday took the decision to shut down this ancient temple till March 31. Only priests will be allowed to come and perform the daily puja, it was decided.