COVID Restrictions On Festivals Stays; No Change In Height Of Idols: Odisha SRC

Bhubaneswar: There will be no change in the 4-ft cap on the height of idols of deities at puja mandaps/pandals during this festive season in Odisha, said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Kumar Jena on Friday.

The SRC said that the restrictions regarding the festive season issued on August 9 will remain in force. “Odisha will continue to celebrate festivals in a low-key manner in view of the pandemic. The restrictions on idol height at puja pandal remains,” he said.

“Odisha is reporting 600 to 1000 new COVID-19 infections daily. The second wave is not over yet,” he added.

Amid protests by puja committees over restrictions on the height of the idols for Durga Puja, the state government on September 8 had said that a decision on the issue will be taken in two days.

Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra had then met a delegation of the puja committees of Cuttack at the Lok Seva Bhawan here in presence of the SRC.

Also Read: Height Of Durga Idols: Odisha Govt To Decide On Restrictions In Cuttack In Two Days

Jena also urged the people of Odisha to celebrate Nuakhai by following the COVID appropriate behaviour.

He requested people not to overcrowd temples during the festive period.

During the agrarian festival, ‘Nabanna’ or rice out of the newly-harvested paddy crop is offered to the local deity.  People clean their houses, wear new clothes, prepare delicacies like ‘Arisa Pitha’ and all family members come together to feast on the occasion.

Also Read: Home Chefs Curate Nuakhai Flavours For Odias In Bhubaneswar & Ahmedabad

THE GUIDELINES

>> Congregations for the celebration of Ganesh Puja, Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja, Kali Puja and other similar festivals shall not be allowed in public throughout the State. However, religious rituals in churches/ temples/ mosques/ places of worship will continue as usual with a limited number of persons with strict adherence to Covid protocols

>> The citizens are allowed to observe the said pujas/ festivals in their premises without causing any congregation at any place and maintaining all safety protocols, such as social distancing, wearing masks, proper sanitisation, etc.

The puja committees/ organisers in rural and urban areas are allowed to conduct puja at mandaps/ pandals as per the following instructions:

>> For conducting Puja in Puja pandals/mandaps, the organizers shall apply to and obtain the necessary permission from the district magistrate or any other officer authorised by him/her. For the area under Commissionerate of Police of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, such permission shall be given by the Commissioner of Police of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar or any other officer authorised by him/her.

>> Puja(s) shall be conducted in indoor-like conditions only for observance of rituals without public participation, pomp and grandeur.

>> Puja Pandals/ Mandaps shall be covered on three sides. The 4th side shall also be covered in a way not to allow any public view of the idols. There shall be no darshan by public devotees.

>> The size of the idol shall be less than 4 feet.

>> There shall be no use of public address systems.

>> At any given point of time, there shall not be more than 7 persons including organisers (Kartas) and priests and support staff present at the Puja Pandal/ Mandap.

>> The persons present at Puja pandal/mandap shall follow all Covid protocols of social distancing, mask usage, personal hygiene and sanitation issued by Central State Government/ Local Administration in letter and spirit.

>> The organisers and other persons involved in conducting the Puja shall abide by any other condition(s) as imposed by the local administration/ appropriate authority.

>> There shall be no immersion procession. The idols will be immersed in artificial ponds created by the local administration for the purpose.

* There shall be no religious procession of any kind of any religious community.

>> There shall be no music or any other entertainment programme.

>> Ganesh puja in educational institutions is allowed with the participation of a limited number of students observing COVID appropriate behaviour.

>> No community feast associated with any puja/ festival during the period shall be allowed.