08 October,2021 07:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Somita Pal
People visit Siddhivinayak temple on Thursday. Pic/Ashish Raje
As the government allowed religious places to open across the state on Thursday, temples, mosques, churches and others in the city saw a good turnout. The managements of the religious places used the opportunity to sensitise devotees to follow Covid-19 safety norms and get vaccinated against it. The devotees, though, were only happy to visit the religious places after months.
Devotees at Hazrat Makhdoom Ali Shah Mahimi Dargah at Mahim. Pic/Somita Pal
Sujata Shetty, 48, visited the Mahalaxmi Temple with her sister-in-law Sukanya. "We were excited that temples were open on day 1 of navratri. We didn't want to miss the opportunity and came," said Shetty. The duo didn't know about the compulsory registration to visit Mahalaxmi temple. Luckily, along with a few who also weren't registered, they were allowed inside after pleas to the security guards. "They allowed us inside since it was day 1 and we were fasting. They said next time remember to be registered. Thank God we didn't have to return home without darshan," said Shetty, who stays in Chembur.
Devotees were checked at the entrance for the registration followed by thermal screening and oximetre reading. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has kept an antigen screening desk inside the Mahalaxmi temple which is manned by their staffers. "In an hour, there are 400-500 devotees. The temple is open from 6 am to 10 pm. We have made online registration a must to visit the temple. We have CCTVs to monitor people and an announcement system to sensitise them to maintain social distance and follow Covid-19 protocols," said Devendra Parab, security in-charge, Mahalaxmi temple.
Flower vendors inside the temple premises were also happy. Shatrughan Paswan, one of the vendors said, "The pandemic has killed our livelihood. I am glad that the temples have now been opened. Today we had a decent business as it was day 1 of navratri and people are coming to the temple." The temple has stopped distributing prasad for the time being.
Like Mahalaxmi Temple, Siddhivinayak Temple in Dadar too has made online registration compulsory for the devotees to visit. Snehal Kadam, a banker who works opposite the temple, asked his wife to bring their two children for darshan. "I last visited the temple in March. I never thought I would have to take an online appointment with God but it is actually better as there is no crowd and you get to see the God peacefully," he said. "The only regret is because of Covid-19, we didn't get prasad or to offer flowers to our beloved god," he added.
Adesh Bandekar, president of Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust said it has an app through which people can pre-book and get QR Codes. "Only 250 devotees will be issued the QR code every hour for darshan," he said.
St. Michael's Church, Mahim, which is known for Novenas on Wednesdays, started the day with their usual two morning masses. "We have a capacity of 1,200. Our morning masses saw 45-50 people coming. We have kept sanitisers and the seating arrangement is made keeping in mind social distancing. Our volunteers supervise and help the devotees," said Oswal Rodrigues, 68, supervisor at the Church.
"Novenas and Sunday masses see a huge turnout. We have therefore decided to continue Wednesday Novena prayers online. People are, however, allowed to come to the church and pray. On Sundays, for the mass, only 200 people will be allowed," said Father Bernard Lancy Pinto. He said we will have to learn to live with Covid-19 and follow appropriate behaviour and get vaccinated.
Women enter the Mahim dargah. Pics/Somita Pal
Mahim Dargah also saw a huge turnout. "We have been waiting for the dargah to open. It gives us peace to be here. My mother was not well and we prayed that once she gets well and the day dargah opens, we will visit. Today I came with my mother and family," said Munira Patel, a resident of Ghatkopar.
Oswal Rodrigues, 68, supervisor at the St Michael's Church with Francis Menezes and Albert Ralf, volunteers
The management is also using the opportunity to encourage people to take vaccines. "We have a badge with a dargah photo and an âI am Covid-19 vaccinated' message. All our volunteers and security guards have taken vaccines and wear the badge. We will help devotees get the vaccine and give them the badge,'" said Gulam Ali Naik, manager, Mahim Dargah trust. He said the trust has been sensitising the community on vaccination.
