Berhampur: Berhampur’s Siddhi Vinayak temple will be closed on the occasion of Ganesh Puja August 22 to avoid any type of public congregation at the temple premises, said district collector Vijay Amruta Kulange, Wednesday.
Kulange said that every year thousands of devotees come to the temple to offer their prayers to Lord Ganesh. However, this year the district administration has decided to close the temple August 22 to stop the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic as public congregation during the Puja celebrations may hike the number of cases.
Ganesh Puja celebrations include ‘sindoor lepan’ ritual on Siddhi Vinayak’s idol and other preparations like decorations and large gatherings inside the temple premises.
The Ganjam district administration Tuesday also restricted Ganesh Puja rituals at the various mandaps in the district.
“In view of COVID-19 pandemic, there are restrictions on large religious congregations. So, no permission has been given to puja mandaps to celebrate Ganesh Puja at community level,” said district collector Vijay Amruta Kulange.
The collector requested the residents of the district to cooperate with the district administration in order to help them enforce the order smoothly.
Kulange has issued an order in this regard in which it is mentioned that any violation against the order of cancellation of Ganesh Puja in the mandaps of the district shall attract penalties.
Kulange also urged the district residents to obey social distancing and mask wearing norms to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
PNN