District Collector Ravindra Thakre has appealed citizens to celebrate Navratrotsav, Durga Puja and Dussehra in a low key manner. Instead of organising Garba, Dandiya the organisers should lay stress on health related matters. Keeping in mind the dangers of COVID-19, as far as possible everyone should avoid large gatherings and avoid community celebrations as is the general trends. The celebrations this year should be muted and kept confined to respective homes and shun public functions. As per the norms, prior permission is necessary from authorities for holding public functions. The mandap should be setup as per new guidelines and height of idol is capped at 4 feet in public places and for homes at 2 feet.
Instead of traditional idol, people should go for Durga idols prepared by using stone, metal so that there is no problem with their immersion and it does not pollute water bodies. People should adhere to guidelines issued by State Government for citizens and organisers should lay stress on awareness about health issues. All the norms of social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitization must be adhered to in totality as it is in all’s interest. In case of people wishing to pay obeisance to idols at public places, then overcrowding must be avoided and at a time only five people be allowed inside the mandap. Organisers must make arrangement for thermal screening, use oxymeters to check all health parameters of devotees and then only allow them inside the premises. People should stay away from community Dusshera and Ravan Dahan events this year.
