Berhampur: The famous Chaitra mela of Goddess Tara Tarini at the Shakti shrine in the district will be conducted this year amid COVID-19 restrictions after a gap of two years.
A decision in this regard has been taken by Ganjam district administration. The Chaitra festival will begin on March 22, the first Tuesday of the Hindu month of Chaitra, and end on April 12.
A preparatory meeting for smooth conduct of the festival was held at Chhatrapur on Wednesday. Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange presided over the meeting.
As a large number of devotees are expected to participate in the festival this year (the festival could not be held in the last two years), the administration has issued instructions to all departments to put adequate measures in place to check the spread of COVID-19.
The health department was asked to open temporary camps near the temple at Tara Tarini hilltop as well as the plain area. The vehicles of devotees will not be allowed near the temple.
Since the COVID cases are still reported in the district, wearing of masks has been mandatory for the devotees who throng the famous Shakti shrine to have a glimpse of the twin Goddess.
“The COVID situation in the district is now under control with the cooperation of the people. We have decided to take some steps in the festival not to spread the deadly virus once again in the district,” Collector said.
He also said no devotee would be allowed to eat food near the temple at the hilltop. Similarly, the administration also restricted sale of puja articles near the temple at hilltop. They, however, allowed sale of these items at the plain areas near the parking place.
Every Tuesday, millions of people from far off places thronged to Tara Tarini, located near Purushottampur in Ganjam district to have a glimpse of the deity and to tonsure their babies to offer their hairs to Goddess.
It was an age-old tradition to offer the hair of babies to the deities on the occasion in Ganjam and some other neighbouring districts. People from far off places visit the temple to perform such an age-old tradition.
The festival could not be held in 2021, it was stopped at mid-period in the last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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