NO GARBA, No Ramlila in Gujarat during coming Navratri

NAVRATRI starting from October 17, Durga Puja and  Dussehra celebrations in Gujarat this year will be dampened with the state government prohibiting any ‘Garba’ event during the fests due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Garba is a popular folk dance of Gujarat and is performed with passion and fervour during the Navratri festival. Navratri is one of the most popular festivals of Gujarat and is called the longest dance festival in the world. Revellers dance to the tune of traditional music and songs for nine nights. Burning of effigies of Ravana, Ramlila yatras, rallies, melas, congregations, exhibitions would not be allowed from Navratri to Diwali. The  SOPs related the festivals have been released by the BJP government for the coming festivals. People are advised to celebrate Dussehra, Durga Puja, Diwali, Gujarati New Year, Bhai Dooj and Sharad Poornima at their homes with their families. AS per the SOPs,  up to 100 people can attend functions such as marriage and the same number will be allowed at funerals. These festivals usually see large gatherings. No big, medium or small scale Garba event will be allowed in the state during the nine-day festival ending with the impression of the Durga idols followed by burning of effigies of Ravana killed by Lord Ram to rescue Sita Devi from his clutches. Collective prayers to Goddess Durga where number of people should not be more than 200 is allowed. The collective prayer should be over in an hour. Prior permission of government authorities has been made mandatory for organisation of community prayer programmes during Navratri. COVID-19-related norms such as social distancing, covering of face with masks and use of sanitisers will be mandatory. The government said citizens above 65, children below 10 years, pregnant women and people with comorbidities should avoid participating in any public programme during the festivals. Edited by PK Chakravarty.