Kathmandu, Aug. 29: Devotees will not be allowed to pay homage to the Patan-based Krishna Temple on the occasion of the Krishna Janmashtami tomorrow, Monday.

The decision to stop people from entering the temple on Krishna Janmashtami was taken bearing in mind the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

A large number of people reach the Mangal- Bazar based historic temple of the Hindu deity Shree Krishna on the Day of Krishna Janmashtami which falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Saun as per the Bikram Sambat calendar.

According to temple priest Pratapdhar Rajopadhya, this year too people will not be allowed to visit the temple as in the past year for fear of COVID-19 infection.

The celebrations will take place in a limited space, the temple will remain open throughout the Day on Krishna Janmashtami, but devotees will not be allowed to enter it.

Lalitpur Metropolis mayor Chiribabu Maharjna said a meeting was held among representatives of different Guthis (religious trusts) here and people responsible for the operation of the event agreed to observe the festival with a limited number of people for the continuity of the rituals.

The creation of public gatherings will be discouraged anywhere else in the town, according to him. Lalitpur Chief District Officer Dhundi Raj Niraula also confirmed that the discussions were going on to celebrate the festival symbolically.

The government has announced a public holiday, Monday on the occasion of the Krishna Janmashtami.