Mahashtami of Goddess Durga was celebrated in Jharsuguda district amid tight Covid-19 norms and strict health guidelines on Saturday.
The coronavirus has evidently dampened the festive spirits as very few devotees could be seen thronging to Puja Pandals In normal years, people perform religious rituals at their homes and visit various shrines throughout the district, including famous Ramchandi Shaktipeeth in the Brajrajnagar area.
On Friday, very few devotees offered Pushpanjali to the goddess at different pandals on Mahasaptami, obeying Covid protocol.
Everyone was given entry following a thermal screening. Social distancing was maintained strictly.On Saptami the ' Main Karta' of Om Sri Puja Committee of Sarbahal area, Pintu Padhi participated in Kalas Yatra with his wife, while priest Krisna Chandra Panigrahi, assistant priest Ajay Mishra and three committee members were present.
Prana Pratistha was done on the Saptami Puja.Durga Puja is being celebrated at many other places in the town.
