With relaxations in the COVID-19 lockdown, temples across the country are all set to reopen from Monday in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by Union home ministry to prevent coronavirus spread.
As per some of the guidelines, prasad distribution or sprinkling of holy water, etc. will not be allowed inside religious places.
Arrangements have been made at the religious sites to spray sanitisers on the devotees before they enter the site.
The Union Culture Ministry has also approved opening of 820 Archeological Survey of India-protected monuments which have places of worship from June 8, minister Prahlad Patel said.
Various measures have also been taken to ensure that social distancing is maintained by the devotees throughout their visit.
Here's how places of worship are preparing to open their gates to devotees.
IMAGE: Workers make marks inside a Hanuman temple to help maintain social distancing norms by the devotees, ahead of its reopening, in Patna, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: A worker sanitises Kashi Vishwanath temple as religious places are set to re-open on Monday, in Varanasi, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: Worker clean the premises of a temple ahead of its reopening on Monday, in Bengaluru, on Sunday. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo
IMAGE: Stickers to help in maintaining social distancing are seen at Kalka Ji temple ahead of its re-opening for devotees, in New Delhi, on Sunday. Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo
IMAGE: Workers clean the railings at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine ahead of its reopening for the devotees, in Reasi district, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: A worker sprays disinfectant inside Kalka Ji temple ahead of its re-opening for devotees, in New Delhi, on Sunday. Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo
IMAGE: Muslims offer prayers at the Nakhoda Masjid, in Kolkata, on Sunday. The mosque will be fully opened for the devotees from Monday. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI Photo
IMAGE: A worker cleans benches at St Teresas Church ahead of its re-opening, in Kolkata, on Sunday. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI Photo
IMAGE: Devotees visit the Kodana Ramchandra temple that was reopened after ease of restrictions, in Chikmagalur, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: A worker draws circles on a pathway leading to Vindhyavasini temple to help devotees maintain social distance, as religious places are set to open on Monday, in Mirzapur, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: A policeman uses a thermal screening device on workers at Sri Kali Devi Mandir on the eve of its re-opening, in Patiala, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: Monks clean Bharat Sevashram Sangha headquarters ahead of its re-opening, in Kolkata, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: Final arrangements being made inside a temple on the eve of its opening in New Delhi, on Sunday. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/PTI Photo
IMAGE: Municipal corporation workers sanitise the Residency Road Church ahead of its reopening, in Jammu, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: A worker draws social distancing markers at a temple ahead of its reopening on Monday, in Bengaluru, on Sunday. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo
IMAGE: Volunteers disinfect Lakshmi Narayan temple ahead its reopening on Monday, in Amritsar, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: A worker screens a devotee at Har Ki Pauri ahead of its reopening, in Haridwar, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: Workers draw circles on a road outside Jama Masjid to help devotees maintain social distancing, in Old Delhi, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: A member of the Masjid committee marks the floor to help maintain social distancing at Machkhowa Pakka Masjid ahead of its re-opening for devotees, in Guwahati, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: Workers construct a shade for devotees at Bangla Sahib Gurudwara ahead of its reopening, in New Delhi, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: A worker cleans the premises of Jama Masjid, in Lucknow, on Sunday. Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI Photo
IMAGE: Volunteers spray disinfectant at Devi Talab temple on the eve of its re-opening, in Jalandhar, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo
