Temples seek more relaxation

Mangaluru, July 05, 2021: Temples are bustling with activities again, with the doors opened for devotees after a gap of two months.

The Temples were shut during the lockdown. Now under Unlock 3.0, the state government has decided to open the places of worship. As per the guidelines, devotees can only offer prayers and no sevas will be allowed.

A good number of devotees offered prayers at the famous temples in the coastal region.

The decision by the state government not to offer Seva has annoyed a section of temple administration and devotees.

“The government has allowed people to travel in the bus with full capacity. Hotels and Bars are also open. When people can gather there, why can’t the government allow sevas at the temple,” a temple archak questioned.

“We agree there are some sevas where people may gather in large number. Let the government not permit such sevas. But small sevas can be allowed,” he added.

However, the government has clarified that the decision has been taken to ensure there is no crowding.

“Earlier temples were not open. Now we have opened it for devotees. They can offer prayers. At present Sevas are not allowed. Sevas may not create problems in small temples. But a vast number of devotees come to big temples to offer sevas. Naturally social distancing and following Covid appropriate behavior will be difficult. That is the reason we have at present not allowed sevas,” Endowment Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary said.