Pune: Ban on processions, garba and dandiya events this Navaratra

PUNE: The Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad civic bodies on Tuesday issued identical orders for the Navaratra festivities and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for temples’ reopening. The Pune administration too issued a similar order for reopening of temples.
Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation instructed Navaratra mandals to refrain from taking out processions or organising garba and dandiya events during the festival. The orders also told the mandals to provide online darshan facilities to avoid a rush of devotees. The civic bodies have also appealed to citizens to limit cultural events to their homes.
Ahead of the reopening of religious places, PMC and PCMC told temple administrations to strictly follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, such as use of face masks, provisions of hand sanitizers, thermal screening, and social distancing on the premises. The state government has allowed temples to reopen from October 7, which is also the first day of Navaratra.
Pune municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar in the order that devotees and mandals celebrating Navaratra must adhere to state government’s guidelines and celebrate the festival in a simple manner.
“Garba, dandiya and cultural programmes must be avoided. Instead, preference should be given to health-related activities such as blood donation camps and spreading awareness among citizens about steps to be taken to arrest diseases like Covid-19, malaria, and dengue. All instructions issued by the state health department pertaining to Covid-appropriate behaviour must be followed at pandals. The mandals should obtain relevant permissions from the civic administration. The height of idol at the public pandal should be restricted to four feet; two feet for idols at home. Devotees are advised to immerse of the idol at home,” the order stated.
Mandals have been told not to allow more than five workers at a pandal and avoid serving food items.
As part of precautionary measures for temples’ reopening. the state government has advised those over 65, people with comorbidities, pregnant women, and children below 10 years of age to stay home.
The state’s order said individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet from each other in public spaces and wear masks. Posters/standees on preventive measures about Covid-19 are to be displayed prominently. Audio and video clips to spread awareness on preventive measures for Covid-19 should be regularly played in all places of worship, the order stated.