Maharashtra government’s state home department imposed restrictions on the upcoming Navratri, Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations. The government instructed all the mandals across the state to not organise dandiya, garba or any cultural event that draws crowds. Instead, the government directed mandals to conduct health awareness programmes about COVID-19, dengue or malaria, and conduct blood donation drives. Recently the Maharashtra government announced the resumption of dine-in serves in restaurants.
Maharashtra Government Bans Garba & Dandiya Events Due To The Pandemic
The Maharashtra government set restrictions and parameters for the Navratri celebrations in the state. Just like during Ganeshotsav, the height of Devi idols will be capped at 4 feet in ‘sarvajanik mandals’ and 2 feet in households. Also, devotees must choose metal or marble idols rather than clay and perform immersion at home or at artificial immersion sites.
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As per the crowd control, not more than five devotees may be present inside the pandal at a time. Also, forget gorging around the mandals. Also, the mandals shall not serve food and drink. The mandals shall follow all measures to maintain safety. This includes thermal screening, social distancing, use of masks and santisers. They will also facilitate online darshan. Immersion processions also face restrictions to control the crowd. As for the famous Ravan Dahan performed on Dussehra, it will be symbolic minus crowds, and streamed online, if possible.
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Virtual Dandiya: The Flavour Of The Season
In Ghatkopar, Jignesh Khilani, secretary of the Ghatkopar Gujarati Samaj, echoed “Now that public gatherings are not allowed, we will organise a virtual dandiya with a few artistes and distribute the online link to housing societies, private clubs or any group that wishes to host a small, private event. We can all celebrate in our respective compounds while following state guidelines,” he said.
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In Thane, popular Navratri mandals already decided to not celebrate the festival. NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad from Kalwa-Mumbra recently announced the cancellation of the Parsik Nagar celebrations considering the possible spread of the virus. Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik also cancelled the annual Garba festival at Samta Nagar conducted under the aegis of his NGO Sanskruti Yuva Pratishthan. He informed that they shall use the money for COVID relief. Also, the government official who issued the circular clarified that the guidelines also govern housing societies. They cannot host Garba gatherings either. Meanwhile, watch this throwback video of a garba event in Oman. Virtual celebrations banta hai na!