Covid 3rd wave: State govt bars public processions during Muharram, Ganesha festivals

 

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday issued an order banning all kinds of public processions til August 20 amid fears of a possible third wave of Covid pandemic in the state.

As per the order, large scale religious, cultural and entertainment congregation/processions of people have been banned from August 12-20, besides giving free hand to all district authorities to decide on enforcing restrictions locally on the festive days.

In a fresh set of elaborate restriction guidelines for the celebration of festivals, the state government stated that all prayers associated with Muharram shall be held at Masjids (mosques) strictly adhering to Covid rules.

“All kinds of processions have been banned from August 12 to August 20. Alam/panja and tajiyath can be viewed from a distance without touching them. Wearing a mask is mandatory in prayer halls. All prayers are to be held in mosques in strict compliance with COVID norms. Except for masjid, mass prayer gathering is not allowed in community halls, open ground, shadi mahal etc on the occasion of Muharram,” read the state government order.

No programs should be organized in Kabristan. Persons aged below 10 years and above 60 years to offer prayers at their homes,” the order read.

For Muslims, Muharram is considered to be the second holiest month after Ramzan, is the first month of the Islamic Year or the Hijri calendar.

Similar restrictions have been enforced for Ganesha Chahurthi and setting up of public pandals has been barred by the government.

“No pandals to be set up for Ganesh Chaturthi. It has to be celebrated in a simple manner. Ganesha Gowri idols should be submerged in designated places only. Temples that are observing the Ganesh Chaturthi festival should be properly sanitized every day. Devotees should be allowed after using sanitizer and temple administration should arrange thermal checking,” added the order.