Odisha permits group puja, festivals with out congregation amid menace of third wave 

By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: With the resurgence of infections in some States forward of Covid third wave, the Odisha authorities on Monday made it clear that each one pujas and festivals, together with Dussehra and Diwali, shall be celebrated with out congregation of devotees just like the earlier 12 months.

Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra has directed that gatherings for the celebration of pujas and festivals and related spiritual and cultural congregations won’t be allowed in public all through the State.

In a notification, individuals have been requested to watch pujas together with Ganesh Puja, Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja, and Kali Puja falling within the subsequent three months on their premises with strict adherence to Covid security norms.

Pujas shall be performed in indoor-like circumstances just for observance of rituals with out public participation, pomp, and grandeur. The pandals/mandaps shall be lined on three sides whereas the fourth facet shall be lined in a approach to not enable any public view of the idols. There shall be no darshan by devotees.

“People usually congregate and get in touch with each other to celebrate festivals and pujas during which it is not possible to adhere to Covid appropriate behaviour and such congregations have a potential to spread the infection,” the notification acknowledged.

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However, Ganesh puja in academic establishments has been allowed with the participation of a restricted variety of college students. Similarly, spiritual rituals in temples, church buildings, mosques and locations of worship will proceed as typical with a restricted variety of individuals.

For conducting puja in pandals/mandaps, the organisers must get hold of obligatory permission from the District Magistrate or some other officer authorised. For areas within the Twin City, permission shall be granted by the Commissioner of Police or some other authorised officer.

The tips issued by the workplace of the Special Relief Commissioner indicated that the idol measurement must be lower than 4 foot and there shall be a ban on using public handle programs.

At any given level of time, no more than seven individuals, together with organisers (Kartas), clergymen, and assist workers will stay current on the puja pandal/mandap. The individuals current at puja mandaps must observe all Covid protocols.

There shall be no immersion procession and musical or some other leisure programme. The idols shall be immersed in synthetic ponds created by the native administration for the aim. Religious procession of any type of any spiritual group and group feast related to any puja/competition through the interval have been banned.

“Any person found violating the guidelines will be punished in accordance with the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 besides legal action under Section 188 of IPC and other legal provisions as applicable,” the notification added.