Ahead of
Janmashtami, 22 people have tested positive for coronavirus at International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple in Vrindavan. Among those who contracted the infection, were the priests at the temple.

“The temple
has been sealed and movement of people has been restricted,” officials told
news agency ANI.

Lord Krishna’s birthday, Janmashtami or Gokulashtami is being celebrated on August 11 and 12 in India this year for which the 150
ISKCON temples around India had announced virtual celebrations due to COVID-19
pandemic. The devotees can take part in these celebrations through social media.

The celebration of Janmashtami in Vrindavan this year includes a virtual tour of Vrindavan where devotees can virtually visit major temples in Vrindavan through Zoom app and YouTube. The tour will be held from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm on Tuesday. 

India has
registered 2,268,675 cases on coronavirus so far and 45,257 deaths. On Tuesday, the cases in India dipped below 55,000 in a single day after consecutively recording over 60,000 cases for four days.