He said that after the religious places of worship are reopened from Diwali Padwa that falls on Monday,rules and safety protocol have to be followed strictly. "Crowding will have to avoided. The reopening of religious places is not a government order, but the wish of the Almighty. Shoes will have to kept outside the premises and wearing masks is mandatory," he said.

"If we follow discipline, we will get God's blessings," Thackeray said. The chief minister was repeatedly being targeted by the opposition BJP for keeping the places of worship shut even as the Unlock process began in June.

However, Thackeray had defended his decision saying it was difficult to follow physical distancing at the places of worship. During his last webcast address to citizens, he had said that standard operating procedures (SOPs) were being prepared and the decision on reopening of these places will be taken after Diwali.

The issue had also led to a standoff between Thackeray and Governor B S Koshyari, who reminded the Shiv Sena president of his Hindutva credentials and asked if he had turned secular. The governor's letter to the chief minister was criticised by the MVA allies.