ERNAKULAM : As devotees return to their institutions of faith, they are in for a major cultural shock as authorities struggle to create a balance between suspending traditional rites seen as vital and mitigating a public health crisis because of the mass contact.In the more than 2000 year-old history of Guruvayur temple or Tirupati temple, in southern India, never before devotees had to mandatorily register in an e-portal before arriving.
They cannot carry hand sanitisers, as is the norm of the times, while visiting these temples— since the alcohol content in sanitisers makes carrying them inside breaking the sacrament in Hindu temples.Religious institutions are facing many hurdles to reopen.