Berhampur: In order to restrict public gathering during the ‘Parikrama’ of Maa Budhi Thakurani from the temporary abode at Desibehera Street to Mahuri Rajabati, Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in the area from 6 pm to 10 pm on Sunday.
Berhampur sub-collector V Keerthi Vasan said the prohibitory order was clamped to prevent further spread of COVID-19. As per the tradition of ‘Thakurani Yatra’, Maa Budhi Thakurani visits Mahuri Rajabati from the temporary abode or her parental house at Desibehera Street on the third day of the yatra.
The administration ordered that no public shall be allowed to participate or accompany the ‘Parikrama’ rituals of Maa Budhi Thakurani. Not more than 20 persons including priests or pujakas are allowed to go with the deity during this rituals. Use of public address system is also prohibited. Only traditional rituals will be performed in police cordon.
The deity will move from Desibehera Street to Mahuri Rajabati as per traditional custom without any stoppage. Only ‘arati’ of the deity is allowed. No puja, partaking of Prasad and breaking of coconut is allowed. The programme must be completed by 10 pm, the sub-collector said in the order.
Earlier, IIC, Bada Bazar police station had requisitioned a large number of force for the purpose. “It is apprehended that there is a possibility of large scale congregation of public during ‘Parikrama’ of the deity and imposition of such restriction was necessitated to contain upsurge of COVID-19,” the sub-collector said.
Any person found violating the order shall be liable to be prosecuted under Section 188 of IPC and also under relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, the officer cautioned.
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