Crowds surge as temples reopen in Maharashtra

As the Maharashtra government allowed the reopening of temples in the state, overcrowding was observed at several temples.

As per reports, the Shirdi's Sai baba temple witnessed huge crowds. However, at the Siddhivinayak in the city of Mumbai, the area was comparatively crowd-free as only those with either a QR code or an offline pass were permitted inside the premises. Moreover, the media cameras too were only allowed two at a time. At the sanctum sanctorum, each devotee was given around a minute even as another waited for a distance away. As pre-registration has been made mandatory in the Siddivinayak, citizens will not be able to visit Bappa without registration.

In addition, the state government has forbidden the devotees to carry flowers, worship materials, offerings and other materials with regards to worship in the Mahalakshmi and Mumbadevi temples. Similarly, no offerings are to be given to the devotees in the temple.

Earlier on November 16, the state government had announced its decision to reopen places of worship after eight months. According to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) released by the state government, religious places located out of COVID-19 containment zones have been permitted to reopen as per the timings decided by authorities as the devotees will be allowed inside in a staggered manner.