SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 20: Booking of devotees’ pass for ‘Darshan’ of Baba Baidyanath remained suspended on the third successive day on Monday following a non-functional website meant for issuing entry coupons.
Deoghar deputy commissioner (DC) Manjunath Bhajantri said that due to thundering on Ranchi based website (Jharkhanddarshan.nic.in) meant for issuing entry pass of Baba Baidyanath darshan, has been stopped working. As a result passes to general devotees are not being issued.
“The administration has also made an alternative arrangement to issue coupons for devotees from Tuesday and has selected three places for it, if the website is not restored by this evening,” said the DC. However, he said the server is being repaired and it would function soon.
The Deoghar temple opened for general devotees (from 6 am to 4 pm daily) from September 18 after five and half months’ closure, following the directive of the state government. As per the district administration per day 1000 devotees are allowed darshan in one hour on e-pass through the official website.
The Disaster Management Department has made e-pass mandatory for entry in Baba Baidyanath temple for ensuring implementation of Covid-19 guidelines.
Booking for e-pass has been stopped since September 18 due to a snag in the website in Ranchi. “For the time being on the basis of prior (before September 18) booking devotees are allowed entry. From Tuesday a new system would be introduced for temple entry coupons so that devotees do not return disappointed (without darshan),” said a senior officer of the district administration on Monday.
The official said in the last three days devotees were selected on the basis of requests they made for registration of e-pass. Devotees assembled at Mansarovar Footbridge and were allowed entry after verification. However, the district administration has not allowed devotees below 18 years and in this regard a notice has been put up at Mansarovar footbridge for information.
Officials said for the facility of devotees entry coupon would be issued on a first come first get basis.
