DHEMAJI, Oct 22 - Durga Puja celebrations in Dhemaji this time would be a low-key affair due to the COVID-19 situation. Like other districts, the Dhemaji district administration has also put restrictions in organising the puja and other related activities. The priests also have to undergo tests for the novel coronavirus and there would not be any idol worship, or entertainment, sports and cultural events as well as bhog distribution at the puja pandals.
The district administration has imposed restrictions on mass gatherings, and has asked devotees to maintain social distance and wear masks while offering puja. The administration has granted permission to limited puja committees, including seven in and around Dhemaji, three in Silapathar and seven others in Jonai subdivision covering Simenchapori area. However, local people said they will conduct puja rituals without any gathering.
The Dhemaji Sarvajanin Vishnu Mandir, the oldest puja mandap located in the heart of the town, is also going to celebrate the puja without any idol. The mandir committee has been holding the puja since 1964, but this is the first time that there will not be any idol.
�Unprecedented times call for unprecedented action,� said Jatin Baruah, general secretary of the Vishnu Mandir Durga Puja Committee �This year, we have decided to perform only ghot puja, observing the Vedic tradition.�
