COVID-19 Pandemic: No Ganesh Puja In Odisha’s Cuttack City This Year

Cuttack: In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ganesh Puja will not be organised in Cuttack city this year.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of Commissionerate Police with Cuttack Mahanagar Shanti Committee and Cuttack Mahanagar Puja Committee here on Sunday.

Cuttack DCP Akhileshwar Singh said that the COVID-19 management guidelines do not allow for holding Ganesh Puja at public places this year. He also directed Durga Puja committees not to start advance preparations.

Briefing the media after the meeting, secretary of Cuttack Mahanagar Puja Committee Prabhat Tripathy said no organisation will hold Ganesh Puja at any public place this year.

On the ensuing Dusshera festival, Tripathy said that a decision will be taken after reviewing the situation.

While urging the puja committees in the city not to go for early preparation for Dussehra, he said if the COVID-19 situation continues to prevail, then there will be only idol worship of the Goddess. “A final decision on this matter will be taken in the next meeting,” he added.