Chhath Puja 2020: No Public Gatherings Allowed In Delhi As Covid-19 Cases Continue To Rise; Know All About It

Chhat Puja is a 4-day festival celebrated predominantly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, besides other states. The celebrations include large gatherings with collective rituals being performed every year.

Representative Image: Getty

New Delhi: The latest celebrations to be affected by the Coronavirus pandemic is going to be that of Chhath Puja (Chhat Pooja). As the celebrations are not allowed to be carried out in public places in Delhi this year, as per the state government's directive.  Delhi government has issued an order directing all District Magistrates and DDCs of Police and all authorities concerned to ensure that Chhath Puja festival/celebration in November shall not be allowed at public places which include river banks and temples in the national capital, Delhi Cheif Secretary informed. This 4-day festival is celebrated predominantly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, besides other states. The celebrations include large gatherings with collective rituals being performed every year. Last year, a total of 1,108 small and large ghats were built by the Delhi government to organize this festival. The government was also looking at organizing Chhath Puja at a small level this year and a proposal was sent to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority for it as all arrangements were to be made with a focus on less crowd, artificial ghats, social distancing norms, and awareness. However, with Delhi undergoing a "third wave" of Coronavirus cases, the DDMA rejected the proposal sent by the Delhi government to organize Chhath Puja. The DDMA headed by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal rejected the proposal also because the central government has not yet been given its go-ahead for the re-opening of swimming pools besides the rising Covid-19 cases. Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot has advised people to observe celebrations in their private space instead, following necessary Coronavirus guidelines. This year the Chhath puja will be celebrated from November 18 to November 20 as people worship the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya while observing strict rituals for the same. WATCH | Big posters in Patna after NDA's win