Kalighat, Dakshineswar shut gates to devotees in Kolkata

KOLKATA: Temples in the city shut their gates from Sunday morning to follow the restrictions that the state has brought in. Two of the city’s biggest temples, Kalighat and Dakshineswar have announced their closure in keeping with the government order. However, Kalighat sevayats have told devotees that they can turn to the official fund of the temple and transfer donations online. Dakshineswar is yet to start any online transactions yet.
Even after the partial restrictions had come into force from the beginning of the month, the temples had followed their original timings that had come into effect after they reopened last year.They had earlier pointed out that since temples had not been specifically asked to follow any restrictions, they were waiting for further orders. Now with the new set of restrictions having come in, a complete closure was required, they said.
“We appeal to all to send in their offerings by fund transfer. This will be used for the daily puja of the deity, which will go on as usual. There are many who mandatorily visit the temples on birthdays and other occasions to offer their pujas. Since this cannot be immediately done, a fund transfer should help them,” said Dipankar Chatterjee, secretary of the committee of Sevayats.
Devotees can also come up to the gate and hand over sarees and other offerings to the sevayats, who would take these inside to offer to the deities. “Morning arati, afternoon bhog and evening arati will go on without visitors but the offerings can always be carried out by us,” he said.
Dakshineswar Temple is going in through a process of restoration and the shutdown will hit it hard, said temple trustees.
“We have not thought of any online fund transfers as of now. The temple will be absolutely shut for devotees and no one will be able to send in any offerings. However, we will continue with our daily pujas of the deity,” said Kushal Chowdhury, a trustee member.