Uttar Pradesh Govt Issues Advisory, Asks Devotees To Celebrate Chhath Puja At Home

The Uttar Pradesh government has issued an advisory for the upcoming Chhath Puja celebration keeping in mind the current pandemic situation. The UP government has requested devotees to celebrate the festival at home or near their homes to prevent the risk of infection.

According to ANI, all arrangements will be made by the local administration near rivers, lakes and ponds for the Chhath Puja. However, the UP government has requested people to follow COVID-19 protocols such as maintaining social distancing and wearing masks while celebrating the festival.

Uttar Pradesh govt issues advisory for the festival of #ChhathPuja in the wake of #COVID19



Devotees be urged to perform rituals at their homes or near their homes, as much as possible. Arrangements be made by local admn at the traditional spots near rivers/ponds for the puja. pic.twitter.com/ig5n4cTeVL

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 18, 2020

What You Should Know

• The Uttar Pradesh government has requested devotees to celebrate Chhath Puja at home or near their homes to prevent the risk of getting infected by a coronavirus.
• The UP government urged people to follow COVID-19 protocols such as maintaining social distancing and wearing masks while celebrating the festival.
• There will also be a provision for an ambulance and a team of medical experts at the river ghats in case of emergency.

Also Read: State Restrictions On Chhath Puja 2020 Due To COVID-19: Guidelines You Must Know

The local administration will also be responsible to set up changing rooms and toilets for women at the river ghats. As per the report, there will also be a provision for an ambulance and a team of medical experts at the ghats in case of emergency. The CCTV (Closed-circuit television) cameras will also be installed at the river ghats to monitor the movement of people. The administration will also be responsible for arranging drinking water and arranging facilities for sanitisation due to COVID-19. 

Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is a four-day festival where women fast and congregate near water bodies to offer prayers to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiyya (sister of Sun God). The festival is celebrated majorly in Bihar, Jharkhand and other parts of north and east India. 

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, some states have placed a ban on public festivities. In an order issued by Jharkhand’s disaster management department on November 15, the state has banned Chhath Puja rituals in public water bodies like lakes, dams, ponds, and rivers.

Also Read: Hindu Festival Calendar: A Comprehensive List of Festivals and Holidays

As per reports, the Calcutta High Court has also placed a state-wide ban on processions. The High Court has allowed only two persons from each family to enter at the ghat and offer prayers on the occasion. Apart from the two members allowed to enter water bodies for the puja, other family members will observe Chhath Puja from or around their homes. You can read more from here.

Sagrika Giri is an intern with SheThePeople.TV