Ranchi: For the Durga puja festival scheduled in October and considered one of the most popular festivals in Jharkhand, government has given permission for construction of puja pandals with certain restrictions.
There will be a ban on the entry of devotees in the pandal and there can be a gathering of not more than 50% of the capacity of the pandal or not more than 25 persons (whichever is less) at one point time in the pandal.Fairs and cultural events will continue to be prohibited as last year.
The maximum height of the Durga idol will be 5 feet and there will be no entry gate or welcome gate at the pandals. Theme-based pandals have been strictly prohibited and will have to be surrounded on all three sides. Distribution of bhogs has also been prohibited and the puja committee has not been allowed to distribute invitation cards to guests. Only lights essential for the pandals has been allowed and fancy lightings has been prohibited. Entry of minors has been prohibited along with prohibition on immersion processions and setting up of food stalls or vendors near the Durga Puja pandals.
Immersion of the idols will be done at the place identified by the district administration and no person shall be without a mask in the pandal at any time.
Meanwhile, after nearly one and a half year, offline classes for middle classes (class six and eight) have been allowed in all schools along with offline classes for all years of undergraduate and post graduate education in colleges.
All sports activities has been allowed to be organized without spectators.
And bars and restaurants will be allowed to open till 11 pm.
The order will be applicable within immediate effect.