Long queues, social distancing, new rules — Delhi’s Akshardham temple reopens after 6 months

Entry to the temple is only between 5 pm and 6.30 pm now and only a few spots like gardens, fountain and food court are open.

By
Manisha Mondal
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A Muslim couple clicks selfie in front of the Akshardham temple | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint
A couple clicks a selfie in front of the Akshardham temple after it reopened on 13 October | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

New Delhi: Delhi’s Swaminarayan Akshardham temple, a popular tourist destination in the city, opened Tuesday to a large crowd, six and a half months after it was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, there are new rules that visitors will need to follow now if they wish to go to the temple. Entry is now allowed only between 5 pm and 6.30 pm, but the visitors can stay inside the premises till 9 pm.

There is thermal checking at the entrance gate, and people have been asked to wear proper masks to enter the temple.

Only a few spots inside the temple are open, such as the fountain, gardens, food court, books and gift centres. The Abhishek puja and all exhibitions remain temporarily suspended.

ThePrint’s Praveen Jain and Manisha Mondal bring you photographs from the temple on its first day of reopening.

A woman chants while walking inside the temple | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
A woman chants while entering the temple | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
The workers at the temple disinfect the temple | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
A worker disinfects the walls of the temple at the entrance| Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
Long queues to enter the temple | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint
Long queues of people waiting to enter the temple could be seen on the first day of reopening | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint
Families came wearing masks to visit the temple | Photo: Mnaisha Mondal | ThePrint
People wore masks to visit the temple. Temple authorities are following a strict policy on masks | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
Everyone has to go through thermal screening at the entrance gate of the Akshardham temple | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
People in large numbers visit the temple | Photo: Manisha Mondal | Print
A large number of visitors were seen at the temple Tuesday | Photo: Manisha Mondal | Print
Police officer keeps a watch that there is social distancing maintained | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint
A policeman keeps watch to ensure social distancing is maintained outside the entrance gate | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint
Circles are drawn on the footpath to maintain social distancing | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint
Circles have been drawn on the footpath to maintain social distancing | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint
People stand in large queues | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint
People stand in long queues waiting to enter the Akshardham temple | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint