Devotees offer prayers at Kamakhya shrine on Maha Saptami amid tight COVID protocol

Guwahati: The celebrations of the much-awaited Durga Puja have started. This time Maa Durga is being worshipped amid strict COVID norms. Today is Maha Saptami, the seventh day of Durga Puja. It marks the beginning of the battle between Maa Durga and evil Mahisasura.

Devotees were seen at the doors of the holy Kamakhya shrine in Guwahati gathering to offer prayers since early morning.

"No one is allowed inside the temple without COVID-19 test or a COVID negative certificate. We are strictly adhering the COVID-19 protocols in the temple premises. There are hand sanitisers as well as whole-body sanitisers for the devotees," said a priest while talking about the COVID protocols being followed.

Movement inside the temple has been restricted and limited only to certain areas. The pond and other such areas where large gathering take place have been shut.

The priests have been allowed to perform the rituals only after the COVID-19 tests. "Only 5-10 devotees at a time are allowed inside the main temple. We are fully following the COVID-19 safety protocols," the priest further added.

Although the coronavirus pandemic has killed the excitement for this auspicious occasion, the devotees were seen arriving at the temple to offer their prayers despite COVID and rain. Guwahati has been experiencing moderate rainfall since Thursday night and through Friday morning.

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