PANCHKULA: Social distancing norms were flouted on Day 1 of the Ashwin Navratra celebration at Mata Mansa Devi and Kali Mata temples despite arrangements made by the administration and the shrine board.
Shree Mata Mansa Devi and Kali Mata Temple both received Rs 17,06,998 lakh as donation from around 20,000 devotees. Haryana governor took part in the morning prayers at the temple on the first day.
No one was allowed to enter without e-token and mask but many removed their masks or let them hang on their chins after gaining entry into the temple.
The guards managed the crowd at the temple entrance but social distancing norms were flouted inside the premises.
Haryana governor Bandaru Dattatreya also took entry after taking e-token from the Mansa Devi Shrine board website. After participating in the morning prayers, he said, “People from all over the country and world come to celebrate Navratras. I prayed to Mata for the welfare of our country. I also wish everyone puts in their best efforts so that our country can lead in the world.”
Shree Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board (SMMDSB) officials said that the temple received Rs 13,03,528 as donation while Kali Mata Temple received Rs 4,03,470 as donation.
Apart from this, 1 gold nugget and 31 silver nuggets were also received as donation at Mata Mansa Devi while two gold and 34 silver items were received at Kali Mata Temple as donation.
E-tokens were being given through the website, www.mansadevi.org.in or through three counters set up around the temple as precaution against Covid-19. No one was allowed entry without e-token and mask.
Health department teams took random Covid samples of devotees and of priests working at the temple.
