Chennai: Today, 10 August, became a memorable day for those keen to ensure their spiritual and physical well-being. For, while temples with less than Rs 10,000 annual revenue in Chennai and other urban areas started allowed devotees for prayers from this morning, gyms across the State resumed operations.
Also, driving schools too commenced classes from today. Operations at all these places came to a halt (though poojas were conducted by priests at temples, devotees were not allowed) since the last week of March when the Covid-19 induced lockdown was announced.
On Saturday, the Tamilnadu government granted permission to allow devotees inside small places of worship within Corporation limits from today. A statement from Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said that Temples, Mosques and Churches with annual income of less than Rs 10,000 can be opened.
“Standard operating procdedures should be followed inside the temple premises. Permission to open the temples should be sought from the respective District Collectors. As far as Chennai is concerned, permission should be sought from Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner,”he said.
The rules include prohibition for physical offerings like prasadam, distribution or sprinkling of holy water to be allowed inside the religious place. Offerings such as coconut, fruits and flowers shall not be allowed. During poojas and abishekam, the public must not be allowed to sit inside and witness the event, the SOP said.
In view of the potential health issues, devotees may be discouraged to do prostration /angapradhatchanam till normalcy returns.