MARCH 16, 2020
The Siddhivinayak trust has decided to shut down the famed Siddhivinayak temple, which is hugely popular among the Mumbai residents and visitors to the city. This comes in the wake of continued gathering of large crowds at the shrine despite the Maharashtra government asking people to avoid at public places to mitigate the spread of novel coronavirus.
The Siddhivinayak temple, located in central Mumbai, was still attracting huge crowds. Now, the trust has decided to shut the doors of the Siddhivinayak temple will be shut at 7 pm on Monday. The temple will remain closed till the situation arising out of coronavirus outbreak does not improve.
The priests performing prayers at the Siddhivinayak temple were earlier seen wearing masks while the devotees coming to the shrine were given hand sanitizers at the entrance.
Aadesh Bandekar, the chairman of the trust managing the Siddhivinayak temple said, “Our committee has decided to shut down the temple as precautionary measure due to coronavirus until further information is received on the issue.”
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had recently announced that government would not be organizing any public function in order to crowding. Maharashtra has reported 38 positive cases of Covid-19, the pandemic disease caused by novel coronavirus. This is the highest number for coronavirus outbreak in any state of the country.
Bandekar, however, assured that medical health centre of the temple would remain open. Those who need money for medical treatment can approach and get relief from the health centre, he said.
People associated with the temple say this is probably the first time that the temple has closed the doors for public, to contain the spread of coronavirus infection.
Follow the government’s latest travel advice if you are planning a trip outside India or travelling back to India from affected areas. You can also read World Health Organization’s advice on basic protective measures against the virus. WHO has also busted some myths surrounding coronavirus. The Ministry of Health’s special helpline is available at +91-11-23978046 and ncov2019@gmail.com.
Courtesy/Source: India Today
