New Delhi (NVI): The Delhi government today decided to ban Chhath Puja celebrations at Ghats, to contain the further spread of COVID-19 pandemic, said Health Minister Satyendar Jain.
The Minister said, “In the view of safety and to avoid crowd gathering amid the pandemic, the government have decided to ban community Chhath Puja celebrations near the ghats this year.”
This announcement comes a day after the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) asked officials to ensure that Chhath Puja was not to be performed at public places, river banks and temples in Delhi due to increasing COVID-19 cases.
As per the DDMA order issued to all district magistrates (DMs) and deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) to encourage people to observe puja at their homes as ensure strict compliance of the ban.
The festival of Chhath Puja is celebrated as a two-day long festival which involves worship of the Sun God at a water body like a river, pond or a tank. This year the festival is observed on November 20-21.
Chhath Puja in Delhi is celebrated in a big way by the natives of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, Delhi recorded its biggest single-day jump of 8,593 COVID-19 cases in past 24 hours, which took tally to over 4.59 lakh, while 85 new fatalities pushed the death toll to 7,228.
-RJV
