The Jagannath Temple at Puri, closed since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is likely to reopen its doors to devotees by the third week of December, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar said on Tuesday.

This was informed barely an hour after Opposition BJP and Congress demanded in the State Assembly opening of the temple as devotees are denied a glimpse of the Trinity for long.

The SJTA Chief Administrator said a special Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is being formulated for allowing the devotees to enter the temple. The SOP would deal with adherence to the Covid-19 guidelines. Replying to a question on the Lords’ Nagarjuna Besha to be held on Friday, Krishan Kumar told reporters that a three-layer security arrangement would be made at the temple during the event. Nobody other than the servitors would be allowed into the temple premises. Action would be taken against any kind of violation. The servitors would not be allowed to carry mobile phones during the Nagarjuna Besha.

The temple reopening issue was raised in the Assembly by BJP Chief Whip Mohan Majhi, who demanded immediate opening of the shrine.

"When the Government of Maharashtra could open temples and other places of worship amid the prevailing the pandemic, why is the Odisha Government reluctant in opening the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri," Maji asked. Congress Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati with folded hands urged Speaker SN Patro to give a ruling on opening all temples, including the Jagannath Temple. "The closure of temples has adversely affected the livelihoods of thousands of servitors across the State," Bahinipati said.

BJD member Amar Prasad Satpathy said the Government is aware of the religious sentiments of the people. However, one cannot ignore the reality in the field. The local administration would take decisions regarding opening of temples and other places of worship, he said.