SHILLONG: There will be no “sitting down and partaking of prasad” in puja pandals across the state with the pandemic still raging on for the second consecutive year, an official standard operating procedure (SOP), issued by the government, said on Sunday.
“Only packed dry prasad could be distributed among devotees and visitors. There will be no lunch or serving of cooked food,” the order specified, adding that puja and offering of “anjali” (floral offerings) will also be regulated by the organisers.
“All idols should be in one frame and their maximum height should not exceed five feet. Devotees will not be allowed to touch the idols,” the order, issued by chief secretary MS Rao, said. Pandals would be “kept simple with minimum embellishments and lighting”, it added.
While those aged above 65, those with co-morbidities, children and pregnant women have been advised to “stay at home” during the upcoming festival. The government has also urged the central puja committee to “cause widespread awareness on restricting inter-locality movement” during the celebrations.
“However, those who are fully vaccinated may attend the puja celebrations,” the order added. “All puja activities should conclude by 10pm, subject to relaxation of curfew timings,” the order said. No live sports, games and cultural functions will be allowed during the festivities, it added.
As per the guidelines, no immersion rallies will be allowed this year. Maximum 20 people can participate in the immersion process. Onlookers and bystanders will not be allowed to assemble on the day of immersion, the SOP added.
On Sunday, Meghalaya registered one Covid-19 death, which increased the total number of fatalities to 1,392. The state recorded 151 new cases that pushed the active case load to 1,877. Total 218 people recovered from the viral disease on Sunday. So far, Meghalaya recorded 80,789 confirmed cases.
