Chhath puja restrictions

Chhath puja celebrations amidst Covid 19

Chhath puja is an Indian festival, celebrated on the sixth day after Diwali. The festival is celebrated by the women of the family with the worship of lord Surya in some states of India like Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Nepal also. The festival is celebrated every year with devotion between October and November to bring peace and prosperity in the family.

However this year the celebrations are going to be different due to the ongoing pandemic. Guidelines have also been issued by different state governments regarding the celebrations-

DELHI: Celebration in public places has been banned by the Delhi government. This has been done keeping in mind the rising cases of corona day by day. The Arvind Kejriwal led government has announced a holiday on this occasion. The Delhi High Court has also refused to allow Chhath Puja celebrations at the side of rivers and ponds.

BIHAR: The state government of Bihar has appealed to people in the state to perform the puja from their home for the purpose of precaution. This has been done so that people do not come in, and close with each other maintain a social distance and do not dip in the river at the time of giving Arghya during Chhath Puja.

WEST BENGAL: The Mamata Banerjee-led government has allowed the gathering in restricted numbers and places

JHARKHAND: The Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand has not given the permission for celebration of Chhath festival in a public place. The state government has ordered that no Arghya in public ponds, dams, reservoirs and rivers should be observed on the occasion of Chhath Puja.

MAHARASHTRA: Government of Maharashtra, has banned celebrating Chhath Puja at beaches, rivers and ponds in Mumbai. The government has also asked the Mumbai Police to stop crowds from gathering in public places.

 UTTAR PRADESH:  Government of Uttar Pradesh has issued strict guidelines. The government has clearly put on record that social distancing and masks are compulsory in all programs.