Tripura issues guidelines for Durga Puja celebrations; Check details here

Guwahati: With the Durga Puja just around the corner, the Government of Tripura has released a 29-point plan to celebrate the yearly festival amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The Government on Friday said that night curfews shall be strictly enforced during the puja period to mitigate the spread of the virus amid the rush.

Of the 29 guidelines that were issued by the Government, 25 were for organizers and 4 were for the general public.

As per reports, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb had organized meetings with many Durga Puja committees at the end of which these guidelines were issued to conduct the puja in a 'safe' manner amid concerns of transmissions.

Interestingly, the guidelines prohibit organizers from collecting donations for the puja from houses and instead ask them to collect money via online mediums.

Moreover, the maximum height of the Durga idols cannot exceed more than 10 feet this year, the Government said.

Additionally, the committees have been urged to ensure that the extry and exit points are wide enough for the people to move freely and that the Durga idols can be seen from a distance.

This year, no cultural programs can be held by the puja committees due to the ongoing crisis period. Extra lighting must also be avoided, the notice added.

The Tripura Government has further said that thermal screening should be arranged in front of the pandals and if necessary, a large TV or LED screening should be arranged so that people can see the idol from a distance.

Puja feast, prize distribution should be stopped and not more than 30 people should go for idol immersion at the end of the puja, said the Tripura Government.

Durga Puja 2020 will be celebrated in the month of October with Mahalaya on 17 September and Maha Panchami on 21 October.

Also Watch: Baby Elephant Dies While Crossing River, Herd Stands Guard