Navratri 2021: Garba, dandiya banned in Maharashtra, maximum 5 people allowed in pandals

By Team Newsable | First Published Oct 6, 2021, 9:55 AM IST

According to the temple trust, just 250 worshippers would be granted QR codes every hour for darshan. The visitors must adhere to the COVID-19 procedure.

All holy sites in Maharashtra will be available to the general public beginning Wednesday, the first day of Navratri. Following CM Uddhav Thackeray's meeting with the task team earlier in September, the decision to reopen the temple was made. Among other temples, Mumbai's Siddhivinayak temple will reopen to worshippers tomorrow. The Navratri celebration, which begins on October 7, lasts nine days. All devotees will be permitted solely through the use of pre-booking QR codes on the Temple Trust app. According to the temple trust, just 250 worshippers would be granted QR codes every hour for darshan. The visitors must adhere to the COVID-19 procedure.

Devotees will also be able to enter the Shirdi Sai Baba and Shani Shingnapur temples beginning on Thursday. On Tuesday, a top district official stated that at least 15,000 worshippers with online permits would be permitted daily access to the Saibaba shrine in Shirdi, Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district. The Mumba Devi temple in Mumbai will also reopen on October 7. The temple will be open to fully vaccinated worshippers only, while unvaccinated devotees must have a Covid-19 negative certificate. Flowers, garlands, and prasad will also be forbidden.

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Also Read | Navratri 2021: BMC issues SOPs; says '4-ft idol height, no flowers or sweets and more'

The Mumbai civic authority further stated that no 'garba' celebrations would be permitted during the Navratri festival. The height of Goddess Durga idols will be limited to four feet for communal pandals and two feet for family pandals. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) asked residents to strictly adhere to COVID-19 regulations and keep festivities low-key in light of the pandemic, as it released instructions and standard operating procedures (SOP) for the nine-day Navratri holiday, which begins on October 7.

“In community pandals, no more than five individuals should be present at the same time. Food and beverages are also absolutely forbidden in the community pandals,” it said. The state administration also advised against overcrowding during Navratri, stating that the threat of COVID-19 is still present and that people should take all measures.

The official further stated that pandals should arrange online darshan of idols to avoid crowding and use Facebook and other social media platforms to reach out to devotees.

Also Read | Navratri 2021: 7 ways to celebrate Durga pooja amid pandemic with zeal, enthusiasm

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