The State Government on Thursday issued guidelines for observance of Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja, Kali Puja and other similar pujas during the months of September, October and November.
As per guidelines, no public view of idols of deities will be allowed this year. For conducting puja on mandaps, organisers would obtain necessary permission from concerned District Magistrates. In Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, such permissions would be given by Commissioner of Police.Puja would be conducted in indoor-like condition only for observance of rituals without public participation, pomp and grandeur.Puja Pandals (Mandaps) would be covered on three sides. The 4th side would also be covered in a way not to allow any public view of the idols. The size of idols would be less than 4 feet.
There would be no use of public address system. At any given point of time, there would not be more than seven persons, including organisers (Kartas) and priests and support staff, present at Puja Pandal.The persons present should wear mask, maintain social distancing and follow all other Covid protocols.The organisers and other persons involved in conducting Puja would abide by any other condition(s) as imposed by concerned local administration/ appropriate authority.There would be no immersion procession. The idols would be immersed in artificial pond(s) created by local administration for purpose.There would be no musical or any other entertainment programme.Any person violating Covid and other norms would be liable to be prosecuted as per provisions of Section 51 to 60 of Disaster Management Act, 2005, Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and Regulations issued thereunder besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC and other legal provisions as applicable.