Iskcon authorities in Mayapur have decided to shut its temple premises and suspend the daily darshan of deities for at least a month amid the rise in Covid-19 cases in Nadia district.

Till Monday, Nadia recorded 1,340 Covid cases, most of which were reported in the past one month.

No visitor, devotee or pilgrim can enter the Chandrodaya temple premises at the Iskcon headquarters in Mayapur till further notice, the Iskcon communiqué says.

The decision was taken ahead of Janmashtami scheduled for August 12.

Iskcon Mayapur’s head of communications Subroto Das told The Telegraph: “Only pujaris will be allowed to enter the temple premises to carry out the daily services for the deities. We have urged all the devotees to use the online medium to participate in the Janmashtami festival.”