GUWAHATI, June 1 - Even as phase one of �unlock India� has allowed reopening of religious places from June 8, the Kamakhya Temple management committee has decided to keep the temple doors shut for devotees till June 30 in view of the possibility of rush of devotees during the Ambubachi festival (that has been cancelled this year) from June 22 to 26.
Soru Doloi of the temple Kabindra Sarma told The Assam Tribune that the temple management committee�s stand to not hold the annual Ambubachi festival would remain unchanged even though the curbs are being lifted.
�If we open the gates from June 8, the rush of devotees is likely to swell manifold by the time of Ambubachi. For the safety and well-being of the devotees and the residents of Kamakhya, we have decided to go ahead with our earlier decision to allow movement of devotees only after June 30, provided the situation improves by then,� he added.
Due to the COVID-19 situation the temple doors have remained shut for visitors since March 20.
The temple management committee had also asked the residents and landlords of the Neelachal Hill, not to make any advance bookings for rooms for the Ambubachi festival. It needs mention that renting out rooms and other accommodation facilities during Ambubachi is one of the major sources of earning for a majority of residents of Neelachal Hill and other localities around the Kamakhya shrine.
�It�s a tough decision that we have taken keeping the welfare of all in mind,� the temple management committee stated.
