A subdued Maha Ashtami in Odisha with strict Covid curbs in place

BHUBANESWAR: The Maha Ashtami puja in all mandaps across the state were held following the state-imposed Covid guidelines on Wednesday.
Though the usual pomp and grandeur remained missing at the pandals for the second year in a row, traditional rituals were observed diligently at the community puja mandaps. All puja organisers are following strict rules to avoid any kind of public gathering at the mandaps. While night curfew from 8pm is still on in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, the state also banned immersion procession this year.
“This year’s puja is no different from that of last year’s amid the pandemic. We expected that things will be normal this year and we could visit the pandals and offer puja. But the fear of the pandemic’s third wave is still looming large. It is very important that we all follow Covid-appropriate behaviours and take care of children and the elderly,” said Surabhi Panda, a homemaker.
Known for their grand celebrations, all major puja mandaps here, including Nayapalli, Jharapada Saheed Nagar, Old Station Bazar, Rasulgarh, Bomikhal, Laxmi Sagar, Baramunda and District Centre, called off arrangements for theme-based mandaps, pushpanjali and distribution of bhog/prasad this year in order to prevent the virus’ spread.
“We have reduced the celebrations and doing it on a small scale, as per the guidelines issued by the Odisha government. The idol size has been restricted to four feet against the pre-Covid days when it went up to 14-15 feet. There is a small pandal without any theme and major decoration. No devotees are allowed to the mandaps,” said Naba Kishore Behera, advisor of the Nayapalli Durga Puja Committee.
Most of the Durga Puja committees are telecasting the rituals on social media platforms and sending prasad packets to devotees’ homes in order to avoid gathering.
However, at some pandals, people were seen queuing up to get a glimpse of the goddess. “The festival happens once in a year, and we just want to get a glimpse of the idols from a distance without making any gathering,” said Pratima Senapati, a visitor.
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