The festivities associated with the Hindu New Year and Nav Durga beginning Wednesday, were badly hit in the Taj city and the neighbouring Mathura district which has seen a mass exodus of pilgrims due to COVID-19 in the last few days.
The religious shrines and temples in Vrindavan and Goverdhan were deserted. Police effectively prevented movement of vehicles and groups of devotees. Barricades have been raised at all entry points, local officials said.
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Hema Malini made a fervent appeal to the locals to stay home and to strengthen Prime Minister Modi's resolve to contain the menace of COVID-19. She has already donated Rs 1 crore from her constituency funds to help the health services.