Berhampur: The annual ‘Kalua Yatra’ of Kalua Devi at Gosaninuagaon of the city started amidst COVID-19 restrictions from Wednesday.
The deity was brought to the temporary abode from the temple by seven priests in a ‘viman’ (palanquin) to start the Yatra. Elaborate security arrangement was in place for the Yatra which will continue till October 31.
Though lakhs of devotees throng the temporary abode every year to witness the Yatra, the district administration this year has imposed restrictions to prevent congregation that may spread the infection of coronavirus.
“We have clamped Section 144 in the entire area and allowed only maximum 7 priests in the temporary abode to perform the rituals as per the COVID guidelines. Three out of four sides of the abode have been closed. Three platoons of police force have been deployed at the place to avoid any untoward incident. Congregation of crowd, procession and cultural programme have been totally banned,” said Kirti Vasan, sub-collector of Berhampur.
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