COVID-19 impact: ISKCON Vrindavan limits daily Sewa, sanitized flowers for Lord Krishna

Shree Banke Bihari Ji Temple closed till March 31

Temples of Vrindavan are world-famous; some for their grandeur and some for their antiquity and legends associated with them. Thousands of devotees visit this small town daily from far-flung places of not just India but the world. But, amidst the threat of novel Coronavirus, temples are closed and visitors are few. From Shree Banke Bihari Ji Temple to the ISKCON Temple, all big and small temples have been shut down as a protective measure against the spread of COVID-19.

The deserted front gate of ISKCON Temple, Vrindavan

A priest inside ISKCON Temple amid the shut down

Rare sight of the empty hall inside Shree Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan

In an attempt to safeguard the Temple premises against Coronavirus, ISKCON management has cut down the daily offerings to deities. These offering also include grand flower decorations known as Pushpa-Sewa. Management has also minimized the quantities of items that are being procured from outside. Every article before allowing inside the Temple premises is being sanitized first, including flowers.

At ISKCON Temple, daily Sewa and offerings are being observed as usual but on a small scale. Daily flower offerings to deities including Lord Krishna, Shree Radharani, Balarama and Nitai Gaur have been curtailed to 4 Kg whilst in normal days, 60 Kg flowers are offered in different forms. ISKCON management procures flowers for Temple use from cities such as Delhi.

Public Relations Officer of ISKCON, Saurabh Trivikram Das informed that only 4 Kg flowers are being purchased due to Coronavirus threat. He further added that the entry inside the Temple premises is barred for public till March 31. Only 3 priests are exempt and these priests reside 24 hours inside the Temple and perform daily Sewa of Lord Shree Radha-Krishna. In normal days, around 40 devotees offer daily Sewa in the Temple on a daily basis, but in the light of COVID-19 threat, except for 3 priests, no one is allowed inside the Temple.

Sanitized flowers and in-house prepared Naivedyam for Lord Krishna

Temple management sanitizes flowers before allowing them inside the Temple premises. From the supplier’s end, the flowers arrive securely in poly bags. But, before allowing them inside, they are transferred in a sanitized cloth right outside the Temple gates. To avoid any hazard, the poly bags are discarded outside the Temple at a specific place. Following this, flowers are mixed well inside the sanitized cloth to get rid of any potential threat and are then offered to deities.

As per the Temple traditions, Prasad offered to deities are prepared in-house. ISKCON Temple never offers food articles prepared outside to deities as Prasad. Only Temple-authorized cooks prepare Naivedyam inside the Temple kitchen.

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Temples of Vrindavan take protective measures to deal with the COVID-19 threat

The ancient town of Vrindavan is the land of some of the most famous temples in India. Thousands of devotees not just from India but across the globe visit this temple town every day. But in the light of COVID-19 threat, many temples have been shut down as a protective measure against the spread of Coronavirus. Temple authorities have also been quick to take the decision of disinfecting the temple premises on a timely basis. Due to the increasing threat of COVID-19, public places like temples have seen exponential fall of visitors.  

ISKCON Temple Vrindavan closed till March 31 –

After conducting the discussion with the members of the governing body of ISKCON, temple management has decided to completely shut down the temple till March 31. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure against the increasing threat of COVID-19. It should be noted that the ISKCON temple in Vrindavan is visited by thousands of devotees every day. 

Deserted ISKCON Temple after the shutdown 

Empty market lanes in front of ISKCON Temple, Vrindavan

Earlier, temple management had arranged for the screening of devotees before permitting them inside the premises. Additionally, yearly Krishna-Balrama Ratha Yatra and the famous Boat-Festival scheduled for March 18 and March 19 respectively have also been cancelled by temple authorities. During the shutdown, the daily rituals of the temple will be observed uninterrupted by temple priests.

Disinfecting Banke Bihari Ji Temple –

To protect the visitors from COVID-19, temple authority at the world-famous Banke Bihari Ji temple has made arrangements to disinfecting the temple premises on a timely basis. Moreover, an advisory has been issued for the workers of the temple to ensure safeguarding against contracting the virus. Temple management also distributed medicines to the temple staff.

               Workers disinfecting the main hall of Banke Bihari Ji Temple, Vrindavan 

Brahmotsava celebrations cut short at Rang Ji Temple –

The ongoing Brahmotsava celebrations at the famous Rang Ji temple have been cut short as the precautionary measure against COVID-19. The Chief Executive Officer of the temple Anagha Srinivasan informed that for the safety of the public, the yearly processions of Lord Sri Goda-Rangamannar will not take their usual route but will be carried out within the temple premises. 

Rang Ji Temple decorated with colorful lights on the occasion of Brahmotsava

Earlier, the famous Ratha Yatra which was scheduled for March 18 had been cancelled by the temple authority. It was only the second time in the 171 year history of the Brahmotsava that the Ratha Yatra was cancelled. 

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