<p>Nothing is same after the outbreak of coronavirus, not even the way of paying obeisance to God.</p>

<p>'Sashtang pranam' or prostration before the deity is no longer allowed in Gujarat temples.</p>

<p>Instead, devotees can only bring their palms together to offer a`namaste'.</p>

<p>Carrying 'prasad' (offerings) inside the sanctum sanctorum is also not allowed in line with the standard operating protocol of the state government, authorities said.</p>

<p>Temples and other places of worship reopened in the state in June, 75 days after the lockdown came into effect.</p>

<p>"Sashtang pranam is not allowed as per the government guidelines.</p>

<p>No devotee is allowed to touch anything as per the SOP," said Vijaysinh Chavda, manager of the famous Somnath temple.</p>

<p>"People are allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum only for `darshan' to ensure minimum contact in view of the pandemic," he said.</p>

<p>Sashtang pranam or namaskar involves prostrating oneself in such a way that eight parts of the body touch the floor.</p>

<p>"No devotees are allowed entry in the temple for aarti which is performed thrice a day, and no more than five devotees are allowed to sit for prayers at once.</p>

<p>No more than three persons are allowed during yagna," Chavda further said.</p>

<p>Ambaji Mata Temple in Banaskantha district, another major shrine in Gujarat, too has banned sashtang pranam as per government guidelines, said its spokesperson Ashish Raval.</p>

<p>Social distancing and wearing a mask are compulsory and devotees are allowed inside only after thermal screening, he said.</p>


Nothing is same after the outbreak of coronavirus, not even the way of paying obeisance to God. 'Sashtang pranam' or prostration before the deity is no longer allowed in Gujarat temples.

Nothing is same after the outbreak of coronavirus, not even the way of paying obeisance to God. 'Sashtang pranam' or prostration before the deity is no longer allowed in Gujarat temples. Instead, devotees can only bring their palms together to offer a`namaste'. Carrying 'prasad' (offerings) inside the sanctum sanctorum is also not allowed in line with the standard operating protocol of the state government, authorities said. Temples and other places of worship reopened in the state in June, 75 days after the lockdown came into effect. "Sashtang pranam is not allowed as per the government guidelines. No devotee is allowed to touch anything as per the SOP," said Vijaysinh Chavda, manager of the famous Somnath temple. "People are allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum only for `darshan' to ensure minimum contact in view of the pandemic," he said. Sashtang pranam or namaskar involves prostrating oneself in such a way that eight parts of the body touch the floor. "No devotees are allowed entry in the temple for aarti which is performed thrice a day, and no more than five devotees are allowed to sit for prayers at once. No more than three persons are allowed during yagna," Chavda further said. Ambaji Mata Temple in Banaskantha district, another major shrine in Gujarat, too has banned sashtang pranam as per government guidelines, said its spokesperson Ashish Raval. Social distancing and wearing a mask are compulsory and devotees are allowed inside only after thermal screening, he said.

Covid-19: No sashtang pranam, only namaste in Gujarat temples

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi found&nbsp;himself in an awkward situation on Sunday when he visited Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda&#39;s Dakor in Gujarat. The crowd gathered outside temple shouted &#39;Modi Modi&#39; as Rahul Gandhi exited the temple after offering prayers on Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="et"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Scene outside Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda&#39;s Dakor, crowd shouts &#39;Modi Modi&#39; as Rahul Gandhi exits. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a> <a href="https://t.co/rFWEnVWy8t">pic.twitter.com/rFWEnVWy8t</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939752748773294080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul Gandhi visited the temple to offer prayers. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier a controversy emerged after Rahul Gandhi&#39;s signature was found in a register that records the entry of &quot;non-Hindus&quot; when he visited the Somnath temple in Gujarat.</p>

<p>Later Congress leader Randeep S Surejwala issued a clarification saying that Rahul Gandhi signed only the visitor&#39;s book.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi offered prayers in Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda&#39;s Dakor. <a href="https://t.co/2iiNX7VilY">pic.twitter.com/2iiNX7VilY</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939732097056481280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He said: &quot; Rahulji made an entry into the visitor&#39;s book. The signature which is being talked of is different, neither it is Rahul Gandhi nor was the register ever given to him.&quot;</p>

<p>He further said that Rahul Gandhi is not only a Hindu, he is a &quot;janeu dhari&quot; Hindu.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="sl">More visuals from Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda&#39;s Dakor where Rahul Gandhi offered prayers <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>. <a href="https://t.co/QmriZNUAGe">pic.twitter.com/QmriZNUAGe</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939735110097674246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>During his last visit to the poll-bound state earlier in November, the Congress leader had visited the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar. He had also visited Ambaji temple.</p>


Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi visited Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor and offered prayers.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi found himself in an awkward situation on Sunday when he visited Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor in Gujarat. The crowd gathered outside temple shouted 'Modi Modi' as Rahul Gandhi exited the temple after offering prayers on Sunday. #WATCH: Scene outside Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor, crowd shouts 'Modi Modi' as Rahul Gandhi exits. #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/rFWEnVWy8t — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi visited the temple to offer prayers. Earlier a controversy emerged after Rahul Gandhi's signature was found in a register that records the entry of "non-Hindus" when he visited the Somnath temple in Gujarat. Later Congress leader Randeep S Surejwala issued a clarification saying that Rahul Gandhi signed only the visitor's book. Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi offered prayers in Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor. pic.twitter.com/2iiNX7VilY — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 × He said: " Rahulji made an entry into the visitor's book. The signature which is being talked of is different, neither it is Rahul Gandhi nor was the register ever given to him." He further said that Rahul Gandhi is not only a Hindu, he is a "janeu dhari" Hindu. More visuals from Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor where Rahul Gandhi offered prayers #Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/QmriZNUAGe — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 × During his last visit to the poll-bound state earlier in November, the Congress leader had visited the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar. He had also visited Ambaji temple.

Watch: Crowd shouts 'Modi Modi' as Rahul Gandhi exits Gujarat temple

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Covid-19: No sashtang pranam, only namaste in Gujarat temples

Watch: Crowd shouts 'Modi Modi' as Rahul Gandhi exits Gujarat temple