Attukal pongala: Negative RT-PCR certificate mandatory to visit temple

Thiruvananthapuram: The Thiruvananthapuram District Collector has made an RT-PCR negative certificate for COVID-19 obtained within 72 hours for visiting the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in the city during the famed ‘pongala’ festival.

In place of the negative certificate, devotees can also pray at the temple with a certificate stating that they had suffered from the infection during the last three months.

According to the temple authorities, they had informed the Collector of the practical difficulties in implementing the order. “However, we will implement the order in the interests of public safety,” they said.

These rules apply to volunteers at the temple also. A maximum of 1,500 devotees will be allowed at the temple on the ‘pongala’ day. An order has already been issued to prepare the ‘pongala’ hearth at homes. Roads and public places should not be occupied for the purpose, said the official order.

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