Odisha: Covid-19 Restrictions Dampens Kartika Purnima Celebrations

Bhubaneswar: The Covid-19 pandemic has cast a shadow on Kartika Purnima celebrations on Monday as the religious fervour associated with the festival was dampened by the prohibitory orders of the Odisha government on congregation of people at river ghats and water bodies for mass bathing and sailing of miniature boats.

On Kartika Purnima usually large number of people congregates at river ghats or near other water bodies to take bath in the wee hours and sail miniature boats with lamps and crackers as the festival is known as ‘Boita Bandana’. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the rich maritime glory of the ancient Odisha.

However rivers, ponds and temples across the state wear a deserted look today due to the prohibition clamped by the State government. A few people were seen conducting the rituals.

Congregation at the Bindusagar and other water bodies in the State capital have also been prohibited and restriction imposed on mass bathing under Section 144 of CrPC. A large number of police personnel have been deployed near Bindusagar and Lingaraj Temple to prevent crowd.

Conduct of the famous Bali Yatra and all other congregations related to Kartika Purnima have also been prohibited throughout the state this year.

(Edited by Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)

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