Amritsar: Sri Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple in Amritsar has remained open throughout the lockdown period imposed to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the number of footfalls was said to be less earlier, the crowds have been back since the lockdown was lifted for all places of worship across India and Golden Temple started serving langar and prasad.
The temple was found brimming with devotees when ThePrint visited it between Friday and Sunday.
In violation of the government’s Covid-19 protocols, people were seen refusing to wear masks or maintain 6-foot distance from each other. Even the sewadars and granthis were not wearing masks. Those distributing langar too did not have masks on.
Asked why he was not wearing a mask, a sewadar who was distributing prasad, said, “Baba di kher hai, kuch ni hona (We have our God’s blessings, god won’t let anything happen to us).”
While the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the statutory body running the temple administration, claimed that proper Covid-19 protocols were being maintained, no thermal screening was carried out at the temple’s entrance.
A senior SGPC member had recently voiced concern about the lack of precautionary measures but failed to receive an adequate response. ThePrint has learnt that there was a difference of opinion among SGPC members regarding mandatory wearing of masks inside the temple.
ThePrint’s National Photo Editor Praveen Jain and Special Correspondent Aneesha Bedi bring you glimpses from the ground.
