All Shiva temples in Patna closed till August 4

PATNA: With fears of rapid spread of Covid-19 infection, the district administration on Friday ordered to keep all Shiva temples in Patna closed till August 4. The decision was taken after the Bihar State Board of Religious Trust stated that all Shiva temples where ‘jalabhishek’, ‘rudrabhishek’, Shrawani Mela, ‘kanwar yatra’ and other rituals take place would remain shut during Shrawan month owing to concerns over the well-being of the residents.
Patna DM Kumar Ravi directed all his subordinates and police officers to increase vigil on the roads and areas of public gathering in view of the holy month of Shrawan, which will begin on Monday. “Officials have been directed to ensure deputation of police personnel at places of religious importance. The officials concerned have also been asked to keep a check on crowding during Shrawan,” he said.
Meanwhile, gathering of people for offering water and milk to Lord Shiva in Shrawan will remain prohibited at the Mahavir Mandir. Mahavir Mandir Trust secretary Acharya Kishore Kunal said certain restrictions have been imposed to stop the spread of the virus. “Several restrictions have been made for performing ‘rudrabhishek’ at the temple. We have limited crowding and implemented social distancing norms for the welfare of devotees,” he said.
The Saran district administration on Friday also prohibited devotees from offering holy water or milk to Lord Shiva in temples during Shrawan. Saran DPRO G Prakash said no ‘Shrawani Mela’ would be organized this time. The devotees have been prohibited from collecting holy water from the Ganga for ‘jalabhishek’ in different temples.
Quoting Saran DM Subrat Kumar Sen, he said devotees have been advised to worship at their respective homes. “He has also advised people to maintain safe distancing and those not wearing mask will have to pay Rs50 as fine,” he said.
As thousands of Hindus perform rudrabhishek and jalabhishek, the preventive measures taken by the district administration have disappointed them. “Looks like the announcement of Shrawani Mela not being organized at Deoghar was not enough to disappoint the ardent followers of Lord Shiva that another set of prohibitions have come. I respect the administration’s decision, but keeping temples closed is not fair,” said Amit Kumar, a resident of Saguna Mor.
(With inputs from H K Verma in Chhapra)