Bhuban: Putting an end to the speculations on the celebration of Bhuban’s famous ‘Bullock Festival’ in Dhenkanal district, the administration has allowed the festival committee to hold the festival with protocols.
But the administration is learnt to have directed the committee to observe the festival in a low-key manner and with strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.
This year only two communities have been allowed to take out their decorated bullocks. These two local communities are ‘Thoria’ and ‘Bania’ that first started the festival centuries ago.
With the administration not holding any meetings to decide the fate of the festival, people had been doubtful whether the administration would give permission to hold the festival or not. However, the administration convened a meeting Friday and it was decided that the bullocks of only ‘Thoria’ and ‘Bania’ communities will be allowed to participate in the festival.
The festival committee members who attended the meeting agreed to observe the festival in a low-key manner this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also read: Uncertainty looms large on world famous bullock festival in Dhenkanal district’s Bhuban
The main attraction of the festival is hundreds of lavishly decorated bullocks taking part in the immersion procession of goddess Durga. This year, there will be no immersion procession and the bullock festival will be limited to the worshipping of the bullocks at the Jagannath temple.
The administration also asked the committees to restrict the height of their deities to maximum of four feet. Keeping the social distancing norm in mind, the administration has asked the puja committees to ensure seven persons at a time at the puja place. Similarly, this year there will be no ‘Raban Podi’ celebration.
PNN