DDMA Permits Chhath Puja Celebrations At Public Places In Delhi Under Strict Covid Protocols

DDMA has reconsidered its previous decision and has allowed Chhath Puja celebrations in the national capital

Chhath Puja celebrations have been permitted in Delhi

New Delhi: The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)  held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) situation in the national capital and to reconsider the ban imposed on Chhath Puja celebrations in public places.

After the meeting, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia held a press conference and informed that the situation in the national capital is under control, hence Chhath Puja celebrations will be allowed at public places but with strict guidelines and restrictions on the number of people.

Sisodia said, "In today's DDMA meeting it was decided that Chhath Puja will be permitted in Delhi. This will be done with very strict protocols at the spots decided by the govt beforehand. A limited number of people will be allowed, with adherence to COVID protocols."

The Chhath Puja celebrations were banned by the DDMA in public, including at Yamuna riverbanks, water bodies, and temples in Delhi, after a meeting on September 30. But since then, the Covid-19 situation has improved a lot in the national capital and demands have been made by various groups and political parties to allow Chhath Puja to be celebrated.

It is a major festival celebrated by those in East Uttar Pradesh and Bihar (Purvanchali community). The community has a sizeable number in the national capital and is concentrated mostly in East Delhi.

Chhath is celebrated after Diwali by people from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh and the ritual involves the offering of 'Arghya' by fasting women to the Sun god in knee-deep water.

Special COVID vaccination drive in Delhi for devotees ahead of Chhath

Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari who has been demanding permission to allow Chhath Puja celebrations announced a special COVID-19 inoculation drive for 10,000 people who would be performing Chhath Puja across the city.

"We have to celebrate Chhath Puja with precautions, so a Chhath Vrati Special Vaccination Abhiyan will be started.

"In this campaign, 10,000 devotees who would perform the puja but who could not get inoculated (against Covid) due to some reason would be covered," Tiwari told reporters at a press conference on Monday.

Tiwari said the vaccination programme will be carried out in association with an NGO -- Delhiites.