With Covid-19 playing havoc, faith has played a great deal to help believers hold on to their hope, as thousands lost lives or fell seriously ill. For many elderlies, the places of worship are places to socialise with other people, a break from their usual lonely lives.
They rejoiced as the places of worship opened up on 5 July with temples, mosques, gurudwaras, derasars, synagogues, churches and meeting rooms in England following the UK Government guidelines.
The post Covid opening rules do not allow more than 30 people to enter these places of worship at the same time. Everyone attending the service should stick to social distancing guidelines i.e. at least 1m (3ft) or ideally 2m (6ft) if possible, away from anyone not from their own household or support bubble.
A risk assessment will have to be carried out at each place of worship. This will also determine the number of people allowed to take part in a service. With the upcoming Janmashtami festival in August, temples are getting ready to help their devotees, celebrate the auspicious day in the safest way.
Yogesh Patel from BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, popularly known as the Neasden Temple told Asian Voice, “On Janmashtami (12 August 2020) we will have online celebrations with special sabha from 8pm till 9.45pm. So, there will be scriptural reading and singing bhajans.
“We have had online worship since 13 March 2020. After the temple opened up, they have made provisions on a limited basis only for darshan between 9-11am and then again 4-6pm.
“People need to book slots online, so we know who has visited in case we have to use the track and trace service. There is a one-way system and footprint stickers on the floor to assist social distancing. In the mandir as well we have footprint stickers so that devotes know where to stand for darshan and ensure social distancing at the same time.
“Every Wednesday the times are reserved for the disabled and infirm. Only if these times are not taken would others be able to book those slots. The abhishek mandap has a barrier across the door so that devotees have darshan only from there.
“Every visitor is expected to wear a mask unless unable to do so for medical reasons.
"We have shoe racks by the entrance door so that footwear can be removed on entrance; sanitising liquid is available for all to use before they make their way up for darshan. After darshan, they would be able to pick their footwear up from the other side of the shoe racks and use a sanitiser again before exiting.”
They have also made special arrangements on Wednesdays for the elderly and disabled. “On Wednesdays, we have reserved time for the disabled and infirm. Only if these times are not taken would others be able to book those slots. That is not to say that if they wanted to come any other day, they cannot. However, if they are infirm, they would need a family member to help them with their wheelchair etc.”
Kurji Kerai of Shree Swaminarayan Temple Willesden, speaking to the newsweekly said, “We are planning to do Janmashtami darshan following Government guidelines. Everybody should wear masks. Everybody should maintain basic social distance guidelines while queuing up. We do not allow too many people at the same time. The celebrations are on 12 August. The arti and pooja can be viewed online. But devotees can visit Lord Krishna’s golden cradle, the annakut display and have darshan within a stipulated time (6:30-8:30pm). Prashad will be available in boxes on the way out. We have also created socially distanced donation boxes, behind screens. There will be one-way entry and exits through different doors. No one will be allowed to sit in the prayer hall. Our volunteers have handled everything very well so far. They will be monitoring and managing everything on Janmashtami as well, strictly maintaining the Government guidelines. We will provide mask, if someone turns up without wearing them and provide hand sanitiser too.”
The whole celebration can be seen on the mandir’s website (SSTW live).
However, Bhaktivedanta Manor this year will not host a Janmashtami festival. A spokesperson told Asian Voice, “How to deal with Janmashtami this year has naturally been a major issue for us, especially given the sheer size and scale of it. The main discussion was how to follow all of the Government guidelines and at the same time cater for the spiritual and cultural needs of the congregation and community. In short, this year there will not be a Janmashtami festival.
“The management has decided to continue running the system we currently have in place: A mandatory pre-booked entry ticket system.
"The link to book tickets, which is also on our website [www.krishnatemple.com], is here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/individual-worship-at-bhaktivedanta-manor-tickets-108659345026.
"The webpage also provides other information you will find relevant. That week there will be ongoing rolling darshan with none of the usual additional features.”
Those willing to visit the temple, must book a ticket ahead of their visit, else run risk of being denied entry. Social distancing and wearing of masks are also crucial.