GUWAHATI, Sept 2 - Unlike in the past, there will be no grand Durga Puja festivities in the city this year. Durga Puja, which is celebrated with much fanfare in the city, is set to take a hard knock this time due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak with most of the puja organisers deciding to scale down the grandeur.
The Kamrup (Metro) District Administration today held a meeting with the puja committees of the city regarding Durga Puja celebration.
A source in the district Administration said that most of the puja committees are in favour of performing only the rituals in view of the pandemic. The meeting was convened after the State government directed all the district authorities to get the views of the puja committees on Durga Puja celebration this year.
�For the first time in a long while, it seems Durga Puja celebrations will be subdued due to the coronavirus pandemic,� the source said. �No decisions have been taken at the meeting as it was called only to get the views of the puja committees. The final decision on the puja celebration will be taken by the State government later,� the source added.
Some of the puja committees, however, are in favour of holding the puja by following all the COVID-19 guidelines.
The committees have also recommended certain safety measures to be taken during the festivities.
The festival is celebrated with puja pandals set up by several puja committees every year, spending lakhs of rupees.
