BMC Bans Offering Of Paya Shraddha, Chhat Puja Celebrations In City

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday issued guidelines for offering of paya shraddha and pinda and celebration of Chhat Puja at the banks of different water bodies under its jurisdiction.

Issuing an order, the BMC stated that in view of restriction imposed by the State Government on large religious congregation and to ensure public safety during COVID-19 pandemic on the occasion of Deepavali at the Bindusagar Lake and at the Singha Dwara of Lord Lingaraj Temple to offer "Paya Shraddha and Pinda Dana", the celebrations will be prohibited in these locations as well as in any other location within the BMC jurisdiction for this year.

Similarly, the Chhat Puja celebrations have been prohibited too in any public location within BMC jurisdiction for this year too.

Issuing a separate order for the Chhat Puja, BMC stated, “In view of restriction imposed by Govt on large religious congregation and to ensure public safety in apprehension of spread of the COVID-19 Virus due to congregation of large number of citizens on the occasion of "CHHAT PUJA" at the banks of different water bodies, the said ritual celebration is hereby prohibited to be held in any public location within BMC jurisdiction for this year,” (SIC)

Earlier, putting an end to speculations on the chances of bursting fire crackers this Diwali after two long years of silence triggered by the pandemic, the Orissa High Court on Monday paved way for the use of green crackers during this year’s celebrations.

While giving its nod to the use of crackers, the Court, however, made it categorical that only Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) approved green crackers will be allowed in the State.