As the State is passing through a critical stage of the Covid-19 pandemic and there is a need for strict adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols, the Government has decided to ban congregations relating to Kartik Purnima and Bada Osha this year. Kartika Purnima falls on November 30.
The Special Relief Commissioner in an order said congregation at river ghats /near other water bodies to take bath and sail miniature boats on the occasion of Kartik Purnima, conduct of Bali Yatra and congregations relating to Kartik Purnima and Bada Osha shall remain prohibited.The order added that any person found violating it would be punished under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws. Earlier, the Government prohibited large social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions and other gatherings in the State till November 30. Notably, large numbers of people congregate at river ghats or near other water bodies to take bath in the wee hours and sail miniature boats on Kartik Purnima.
Besides, Bali Yatra is organised at different places, including Cuttack, Paradip and Bhubaneswar, attracting large numbers of people.