Trimbakeshwar Temple, another shrine in Nashik closed

Two famous temples in Nashik district of Maharashtra, including Trimbakeshwar, will remain closed for devotees from March 18 due to the novel coronavirus threat, officials said on Tuesday.

The Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, located on the city's outskirts, will remain closed till further notice, while the Saptashringi Temple in Kalwan taluka will be shut till March 31, they said.

The step has been taken to avoid crowding of people in public places as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected 40 patients till now in Maharashtra.

The (Trimbakeshwar) Temple trust has decided to close the temple for devotees from tomorrow. The decision was taken at a meeting of the board of trustee held today.

"No one will be allowed entry into the temple. However, the priests will perform regular worship of the deity and other rituals. Not more than five people will be present for these rituals, trustee Prashant Gaydhani said.

The temple, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, will remain closed for devotees till further notice, he said.

Meanwhile, a devotee gifted 150 masks, each costing Rs 300, to the temple administration, Gaydhani said.

The temple administration has stored 600 litres of hand sanitiser, he said.

The Saptashringi Temple will remain closed for devotees from March 18 to 31, an official of the trust managing the shrine said.

The iconic shrine at Saptashringi Gad is known as one of the three-and-half shaktipeethas of Adishakti.

"No one will be allowed to take darshan of Goddess Saptashringi from tomorrow onwards. This will continue till March 31 and if necessary it will be extended further," the official said.

However, regular puja and other rituals will be performed at the temple during this period, he said.

Dining and accommodation facilities for devotees at the temple site, too, will remain closed, he said.

Meanwhile, at present, four coronavirus suspects are receiving treatment at the district civil hospital, hospital sources.

Eight patients were admitted to the hospital and four of them were discharged after their samples tested negative for the viral infection, they said.

There was no new admission at the hospital on Tuesday, the sources added.