After Lockdown, which all temples and religious institutions in India shall reopen?

While the Central Government has sanctioned reopening of religious shrines and institutions across India from June 8 (except those in containment areas), the religious bodies and state governments are still mulling over the various possibilities on the issue.

According to the news reports, earlier the Karnataka government had requested PM Modi to grant approval on the reopening of religious places in the state in a confined manner. Similarly, the West Bengal government had also declared that religious shrines in the state would reopen from June 1.
But the problem is that the presiding authorities of religious places are unconvinced with the proposal of reopening right now. A priest at Tarapith Temple in West Bengal told an online news daily that the shrine will stay shut for devotees till June 14. After that, the authorities will review the situation.

On the other hand, Mohammad Yahiya, Chairman of West Bengal Imams’ Association, had requested the Masjid Committees and Imams to avoid reopening the mosques for a month at least, and the devotees should continue to offer prayers from their respective homes.India’s one of the richest shrines, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in Andhra Pradesh, which is facing financial difficulties these days, was prepared with social distancing rules since mid-May. Instead of permitting darshan to 85000 devotees, its daily count, the temple had set its target for only 10000 devotees per day. Although the temple is located in a green zone, its authorities are yet to get a green signal from the state government on its reopening.

Also, reportedly, Tamil Nadu’s majestic Meenakshi Amman Temple will remain shut till June 30 due the extension of lockdown implemented in the state. In fact, all the shrines in the state will not open before June 30.

On the other hand, Delhi’s Kalkaji temple might open its doors to the public on the condition that no offerings shall be accepted from the devotees. The temple authorities are preparing to welcome devotees once again, as per a statement given by an authority member to a leading online daily.