City’s holy sites give COVID-19 precautions a pass

Temples such as Tirupati Temple have stopped certain daily rituals while temples like Shirdi Sai Baba Temple and Sabarimalai Temple have asked pilgrims to avoid visiting now. However, in Chennai, only a few religious establishments are following these measures.

The Vadapalani Murugan Temple saw fewer devotees compared to other days, said temple officials. Screening is conducted for all those entering temple premises with a laser thermometer. “Devotees are screened before allowing inside the temple. If someone has symptoms of fever and cold, then they are requested to visit the temple’s Siddha hospital on the premises for treatment. We have been following this system for the last one week. Also, as the kumbabishekam – which comes only once in 12 years– preparations are underway, devotees are allowed to worship only Lord Murugan. Because of this, the number of devotees has come down,” said a senior official with the temple management.

The devotees are not wearing any masks in the temple. Also, there are no shops selling masks or hand gloves in the locality. “As there is no virus spreading in the Tamil Nadu, we are not wearing any masks. If people cover their mouth while coughing or sneezing then there won’t be any harm,” said Suhashini M of Ekkatuthangal.

It was a different picture at Mahalingapuram Sree Ayappan temple. Following the order by the Travancore Devaswom Board, many have been asked to delay their visit to the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala. This has led to the temple at Mahalingapuram getting bigger crowds than usual.

“For the past few days, after the irumudi (offerings to the god), devotees are coming to Ayyappa temples in Adyar and Mahalingapuram for worship. We are not providing any masks or hand sanitisers at the temple because Tamil Nadu is not affected with COVID–19,” said a temple official.

None of the devotees were wearing masks when DT Next visited the premises. “As we are restricted from going to Sabarimala, we are visiting Ayappan temple here. Also, the majority of devotees are going to the Rajah Annamalaipuram Ayappan temple. We are not willing to wear masks while worshipping the god, and even if the management is providing, we will not wear it,” said Satheesh Kumar, a devotee.

The Gurudwara Sahib in T Nagar was empty when DT Next visited the location. “When I visted the gurudwara one week ago, there was regular cleaning taking place. Not many people crowd inside the gurudwara. Maximum of only two families will be there at a time. But we are taking precautions among ourselves by wearing masks,” said a devotee.

At the St Thomas Cathedral Basilica in Santhome, only one devotee was seen wearing a mask. No hand sanitiser was made available for the visitors at the entrances or in the washrooms. Sanitary workers explained that cleaning of the church is being undertaken as usual.

“I got this mask for Rs 100 at a market in Anna Nagar. I wore it for safety reasons, but I don’t think it is necessary inside the church as everyone is careful. Till this time of the day, not many devotees have come here. So there is no big threat,” said the devotee with the mask. The Basilica normally sees a daily footfall of around 1,000 people.

At the Kapaleeshwar Temple in Mylapore, there are no measures to contain any COVID-19 outbreak, according to a regular temple-goer. “Nobody is wearing masks. There are no hand sanitisers available. There is no drop in the numbers visiting the temple and the tank. It worries elderly people like me, who are more at risk of getting infected. All I can do is sit at home,” said the 84-year-old.

Hundreds of people visit this mosque for prayers daily. “People have not stopped visiting the mosque. They visit thrice a day. In the evening, we could see more than 500 people here, because only then they will be returning from work. Usually, whenever we enter the place for worshipping, we wash our face, hands, and feet. So, we are not keeping any hand sanitisers here,” said a senior cleric here.