Virus outbreak may hit Navratri, prayer gatherings

NEWDELHI: Religious places across Delhi are taking measures to contain the spread of coronavirus, including curtailing events, altering practices and informing people about how they can keep safe. Many, however, admitted that it would be difficult to regulate the attendance of devotees, specially in view of the Delhi government’s order barring assembly of more than 50 people.

The management of the Jhandewalan Temple of Karol Bagh, which gets around 30,000 worshippers during Navratri each day, said it has “watered down the Chaitra Navratri festivities”.

Most popular temples of the city have cancelled all major festivities and events such as bhandaras (community meals) and jagrans (prayer meetings) in lieu of the government order.

“Devotees can come for darshan (view of the idols) but we have r e moved al l s e at i ng arrangements and plans for prayer congregations...

“We have procured 22 infrared sensors or thermometer guns. These will be handled by over 2,000 volunteers stationed at the three entry gates of the temple to check devotees’ body temperature. Every two hours, we will sanitise steel barricades/railings,” said a member of the Jhandewalan Board of Temple Trustees, who requested not to be named.

The ISKCON Temple in East of Kailash, for which Chaitra Navratri is the biggest annual festival after Janmashtami, has called off its ‘Shri Ram Shobha Yatra’, slated for March 25. “The ‘Sunday bhandaras’ have been revoked for next few days till coronavirus epidemic is over,” said Vrajendranandan Das, communications director, ISKCON.

At the Jama Masjid, where usually more than 10,000 people congregate for the Friday prayers and at l east 2, 000 f or daily prayers, the authorities said they are yet to get clarity on whether the government’s announcement is an “advisory” or an order.

Syed Shaban Bukhari, viceShahi Imam, Jama Masjid, said, “If all religious sites follow the government’s decision then we will also consider doing it. We will hold a meeting to assess the situation and think of alternatives, if at all it is a binding order.”

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee on Monday restricted the entry of foreign nationals, who have not completed 15 days of stay in the country, in all city gurdwaras.

Priests at all Delhi churches have been directed to make people aware of precautions to be taken while entering the premises, particularly for the Sunday mass where at least 500 people gather to offer prayers.