Puja Guidelines Issued: Not More Than 7 Persons At Mandap, Maximum 4 Ft. Idols

The Odisha Government has come up with a string of guidelines that has been released prior to the upcoming Puja festivities. The guidelines will be applicable to Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Lakhmi Puja which are going to be held in a span of two months.

The guidelines are meant for the festivals that are going to be celebrated over the months of September, October and November.

According to the guidelines, prior permission has to be taken from the district Collector and the Commissioner for conducting puja on Mandaps (Pandals). In the twin city of Cuttack and Bhubanesawar, the permission has to be taken from the Commissioner, whereas in the other districts, the district collector will be the authority to issue Puja related permissions.

As per the guidelines, while the height of the idols have been fixed to a maximum of 4 ft, not more than 7 people, including the conductor (Karta) and the priest (Brahmin) are allowd on the Mandap. There has been a complete ban on immersion processions and make shift ponds would be used for immersing the idols.

However, people in general can’t take part in the Puja celebrations as this permission has been given only to maintain the traditions that has been going on for ages in the state. There cannot be any gathering at the Mandaps as it might lead to more spread of the Coronavirus infection.

The Puja Mandaps would be closed from three sides completely. This would mean the idols won’t  be visible even if one gets close to the Mandap. The Puja Mandap would be entirely restricted for Darshan by the devotees.

Click HERE for details of the Puja guidelines in Odisha.