Given the Covid-19 situation, millions of devotees will not be able to perform Chhath Puja after Jharkhand and Odisha Governments followed Delhi in prohibiting congregation and religious ceremony on the banks of rivers, ponds and other public water bodies.
The festival dedicated to Sun God, Chhath Puja is mainly celebrated by people from Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi and West Bengal as well as the Madhesh region of Nepal.
Chhath Puja is celebrated every year on the Shashti Tithi of Shukla Paksha of the month to worship the Sun God. This year Chhath Puja will begin on November 18 from “Nahay-Khay” and end on November 21 with “Paran”.
Delhi was the first to restrict congregation for the Chhath Puja on the banks of river, ponds, lake in public places.
Devotees say temples, bazars, markets have been opened, even gatherings at weddings have been allowed but Governments have restricted “Chhath Puja”. While the authorities say that maintaining lakhs of devotees at rivers is not possible amid Covid 19 pandemic.
The Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand Government said in an order that Chhath Puja in water bodies, including public ponds, lakes, rivers, dams, reservoirs, will not be permitted in view of Covid-19 pandemic. “The festival traditionally attracts huge congregations at Chhath ghats. Due to the fixed timings of performing the aforementioned rituals, it is not possible to stagger these huge congregations to ensure social distancing,” the Government said.
The statement read further that it is not possible to ensure the compliance of national directive of social distancing norms of “2 gaz ki doori” while performing Chhath Puja in water bodies. “Therefore Chhath Puja in the waters of public pond/lakes/rivers/reservoirs/any other water body shall not be permitted so as to minimise the chances of spread of Covid-19 infection,” the Government said in an order.
The official order further said that no stalls shall be set up by anyone on or near the banks of any water body. It also imposed restrictions on barricading and placing any special lighting by any individual on the ghats. Bursting of firecrackers and organisation of any musical or any other entertainment/cultural programme to mark the festival has also been banned.
The Odisha Government has also banned “Chhath Puja” given the coronavirus situation. Devotees have been advised to perform the rituals at home adhering to the Covid-19 safety protocols. “People are advised to perform other rituals at home avoiding mass gatherings and adhering to the Covid-19 safety protocols such as physical distancing, use of face mask/ covering and hand washing/ hand sanitizer,” the Odisha Government said in a letter.
However, in Bihar, the Government has released guidelines for the Puja on Sunday. Issuing a guideline on behalf of the Government of Bihar, devotees have been advised to offer puja at their homes instead of worshipping at rivers and ponds. This time there will be no fair and cultural programmes on the occasion. As per guidelines, all devotees shall follow the social distancing norm avoiding rush at the Chhath ghats.
“Use of masks is mandatory. Devotees above the age of 60 years and below 10 years are restricted from the ghats. During the puja, devotees shall not dive into the river. People suffering from fever and other contagious diseases are not allowed on the ghats,” the guidelines said.
