Coronavirus scare: Ahead of Holi, Assam government urges caution from Barpeta Satra

GUWAHATI: At a time when public gatherings are being cancelled and Holi is expected to be a muted affair in the state due to the global coronavirus outbreak, Barpeta Satra, the Vaishnavite monastery built way back in the 16th century, has decided to go ahead with the celebrations.
The satra plays host to the biggest Holi celebrations in the state and is organizing a four-day event to mark the occasion this year
However, with the festive fervour unable to allay fears about the spread of Covid-19, a team of health department officials headed by director of health services, Dr Rathindra Bhuyan, met the satra's Burha Satriya (head monk), Basistha Dev Sarma, on Sunday and urged him to issue an appeal to the devotees to take all possible precautionary measures.
The health department officials added that they want the satra management to ensure that people, who show symptoms of flu and common cold, are not allowed to take part in the celebrations.
"We apprised him (Burha Satriya) about the precautionary measures that need to be taken while playing Holi. Since Barpeta Satra witnesses the biggest congregation during Holi in Assam, the health department is not intervening into age-old rituals. But through the Burha Satriya, we want to pass on a message to the public that people who have symptoms of coronavirus should not join in the mass celebrations. Moreover, the Holi colours that might have been imported from China should be avoided. No one should take a risk," Bhuyan told TOI from Barpeta.
"As per tradition, mass processions are taken out on the occasion of Doul Utsav in Barpeta. It's difficult to stop such an age-old tradition. But we have requested the Burha Satriya to appeal to those suffering from fever or cold not to come in contact with others as a precautionary measure," he added.
Even as the four-day long celebrations began on Sunday evening with bursting of traditional fire-crackers at the satra premises, it will be a mammoth challenge for the district administration to monitor such a huge confluence of visitors.
"The joint director of health services stationed at Barpeta has been asked by the district administration to keep a strict vigil on the Holi celebrations as a precautionary measure. However, the administration cannot interfere much in religious events like Doul Utsav," said an official of the district administration.