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Temples/Religious Places in Himachal Re-Open from Today, Inter-State Public Transport Resumed, But SOPs Implementation to be a Big Challenge
Shimla-Temples and religious places have re-opened in Himachal Pradesh, inter-state public transport resumed operation with 317 buses allowed to ply on about 500 routes, and most higher educational institutes have also been re-opened by the HP Government.
Himachal Pradesh Government had announced these relaxations in restrictive measures and re-opening of most activities after its Cabinet meeting held on June 22, 2021.
Religious places/places of worship are allowed to open for darshan only with the condition that they follow requisite SOPS issued by the Department of Language, Art and Culture, Himachal Pradesh. No kirtan, bhajan, jagratas etc. will be permissible. (Scroll Down to Read Details SOPs)
Medical colleges, Ayurvedic colleges, Dental colleges, Nursing and Pharmacy colleges were already allowed to open. From today, Engineering colleges/polytechnic and ITIS are also permitted to re-open.
The examinations for the undergraduate classes will also commence today. A section of students is protesting against this decision to hold offline exams without vaccinating all students and staff. The National Student Union of India (NSUI) leaders are on a chain-hunger strike, demanding the cancellation of exams. The Indian National Congress, HP, also supported the strike of the student body.
Although long lists of the SOPs have been issued and their implementation have been cited to be mandatory, the ground reality is likely to be the opposite. Re-opening the state in one go amid warning of the impending third wave and spread of the new Delta Plus variant describes the carefree attitude the state government and the people have adopted. The SOPs are hardly being followed, especially regarding maintaining social distancing and physical contact. Not only the people but the government officials, ministers, and political leaders of both the ruling party and the opposition were seen violating the SOPs often.
The law enforcement agencies and the district administrations appear to be helpless in taking action against these violations in protests and political events.
Tourists are already flooding popular destinations of the state since June 23 – a day after the government lifted all restrictions including carrying an RT-PCR report and obtain an e-Covid pass. Now, with the opening of the religious places, pilgrims would add to the visitors’ influx.
HP government has still not considered keeping RT-PCR and e-Covid pass as checks on tourist movement at least from the states affected by the Delta Plus variant. For this negligence, the state government has been facing criticism.
SOPs for Himachal Pradesh’s Religious Places/ Places of Worship (Unedited Official Notification)
- At the entrance of the temples, the particulars of all the visitors shall be recorded in a register. A Register shall be maintained properly.
- Entrance shall have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitiser dispenser) and thermal screening provisions.
- Visitors/ devotees shall wear proper masks and maintain proper social distancing in the temple premises.
- Separate entry and exit for visitors shall be provided.
- Circles will be marked at the proper distance to manage the queue and ensure social-distancing in the premises.
- Devotees will not touch the bells, idols, railings, floor or any other surface.
- Entry to the sanctum sanctorum shall be prohibited and only Darshan will be allowed.
- No physical offerings like Prasad/ distribution or a sprinkling of holy water, etc. will be allowed.
- There will be no Puja, Havan, Mundan, Community Kitchens/ Langar etc.
- In view of the potential threat of the spread of infection, recorded devotional music/songs may be played and choir or singing groups should not be allowed. 11. Cash shall be donated in the DAAN PATRA/ donation box only.
- Staggering of visitors shall be done.
- Proper crowd management shall be ensured in the parking lots and outside the premises-duly following social distancing norms.
- Large gatherings/congregations will continue to remain prohibited.
- The visitors shall not be allowed to roam around in the temple/ temple premises unnecessarily.
- Any shops, stalls, cafeteria etc., located outside the premises shall follow social distancing at all times.
- Physical contact while greeting each other will be avoided.
- Spitting should be strictly prohibited. 19. Frequent cleaning and disinfection will be maintained by the Management of the religious place.
- Effective sanitation within the premises shall be maintained with a particular focus on toilets.
- The floors should particularly be cleaned multiple times in the premises.
- No face covers/masks/gloves shall be left over by visitors or employees.
- The Chief Medical Officer, Shimla shall deploy health officials in the temples which are visited by people in large number.
- Only asymptomatic persons shall be allowed in the premises. Persons found to have ILI symptoms will not be allowed to enter the temple. He/ she shall be isolated in the identified isolation room in the temple complex from where the ambulance deployed by Health Department will take them for sampling.
- Posters/standees on preventive measures about COVID-19 shall be displayed prominently in the premises at a conspicuous place.
- Installation and use of Aarogya Setu shall be mandatory.
In case a suspected or confirmed case is found in the premises, the following action will be taken:
- Shift the person to a room or area where he/she is isolated from others.
- Immediately inform the health official deployed in the temple and nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) or call the Local Administration/CMO .
- Disinfection of the premises will be taken up if the person is found positive. The Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Police shall strictly ensure that there is no violation of these SOPS.
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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