Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) after assessing the current Covid scenario has issued a set of stipulations to be observed during the celebration of Maha Sivaratri on March 1.
The set of stipulations issued by the BMC is as under.
- The Sebayats who will perform their religious rites on the day of Maha Sivaratri on March 1 shall perform their duties as usual by observing Covid appropriate behavior like proper wearing of masks, social distancing and hand hygiene.
- The devotees are allowed for darshan of Lord Lingaraj from Singhadwar to Aadda Katha on the occasion.
- There will be no Puja during darshan of Lord Lingaraj near Aadda Katha by the devotees on the day of Maha Sivaratri.
- Sahan Mela darsan/ Garvagruha darsan is not allowed on Maha Sivaratri Day.
- The devotees shall have to maintain social distance at all times during the events. The temple authority shall ensure that only that many devotees are allowed inside the temple premises so that social distancing of 6 ft is maintained at all times.
- All the devotees shall have to wear masks appropriately at all times during the occasion.
- Provision of handwashing/ hand sanitizer for the devotees is to be ensured by the temple authority.
- Spitting inside and outside the premises and chewing of Pan /Ghutka is strictly prohibited.
- The person with SARI / ILI like symptoms shall not be allowed to the temple. Other vulnerable groups of people such as person with co-morbidities, old age persons, pregnant women or children below 12years of age should avoid the event.
- Any Kind of mela/congregation of temporary vendors which will cause gathering is strictly prohibited outside the temple premises so as to avoid crowding.
The BMC order said that the stipulations shall have to be followed scrupulously by all concerned without any deviation.
