Safety Guidelines Regarding Durga Puja, 2020 Celebration in Bongaigaon Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic

As we all know about the Covid-19 pandemic situation across the country. Covid-19 has been around for nearly seven months now, by now people should know the dos and don’ts.

Durga Puja, the most-eagerly awaited festival, which involves the participation and movement of large numbers of crowds, that lasts several days is just a few days away. But this time people need to be more cautious and safe. Because we all are fighting a battle against Covid-19.

A meeting was held in the Deputy Commissioner's Office Conference Hall, Bongaigaon with the President/Secretaries of all Durga Puja committees. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of DC Bongaigaon, Dr. M.S. Lakshmi Priya, IAS and in the presence of SP(Bongaigaon), ADCs, SDO(Civil), Circle Officers and other concerned officers and staff. At the meeting necessary instructions and guidelines for the Puja Commitees were explained by the DC madam and she urged all the Committees to maintain proper discipline, Covid-19 protocols, safety measures and abide by the other rules set by the Administration for ensuring a safe Puja ahead.

Guidelines for Durga Puja, 2020 in Bongaigaon:

1) There shall be no Puja Pandal just beside any road/ lane.

2) Pandal premises must be 20 feet by length and 20 feet by breadth.

3) Make adequate provision of fire fighting in the Pandal. Keep fire fighting arrangements like buckets with sand, fire extinguishers etc. readily available. Committee must have the contact numbers of special emergency services like hospital, doctor, police station, fire brigade etc. to fight any probable danger situation.

4) There must be installation of CCTV Cameras in every Puja Pandal.

5) The maximum height of the Durga Idol must be 6 feet or less than that.

6) Only 5 people will be allowed for the immersion of the Goddess Durga Idols.

7) Do not use highly inflammable objects/items in the decoration of the Pandals as well as use of loudspeaker is also prohibited.

8) The Dhak, Dhol playing is only allowed at the time of Aarti.

9) The entry of general public inside the Puja Mandap is strictly restricted except the priest and the puja committee members.

10) Public gathering at the time of offering Aarti is also prohibited this time. However, Prasad can be distributed in their respective houses of public.

11) Hand sanitisers will have to be mandatorily placed at entry points of pandals, and wearing of face masks will be binding. Every Puja Committee must ensure the arrangement to measure body temperature of the public present out there.

12) Submit detailed list with photo, name and address of all office bearers and volunteers to the nearest police station in advance without fail.

13) The Swab test result of Covid-19 of all volunteers along with the President, Secretary of each and every Puja Committee must be submitted at the Administration before 20 October, 2020.

14) CCTV cameras must be installed both at the front side and back side of the Puja Mandap. Maintain hygiene and cleanliness of the Pandal and in its vicinity by placing Dustbins of two colour by the Puja Committee.

15) Do not set up any kind of fair (mela) or temporary sweet shop or tea stall near the Puja Mandap.

16) Cultural programs inside the pandals are also not allowed in this year’s celebration.

17) For immersion, Puja committees should take out their respective processions by 11 am in the morning till 5 pm in the evening without fail on the day of immersion. The people involved in the immersion procession, are not allowed to get down from the vehicle carrying the Durga Idol.

18) DC madam also announced that Bongaigaon District Administration will acknowledge the respective Puja Committee who will be able to organize the Durga Puja festival in the safest way by maintaining all the guidelines provided.