Maharashtra government cancels dandiya celebrations; issued guidelines for Navratri, Dussehra

The upcoming Navratri and Dussehra celebrations would be very low-key in Maharashtra due to the restrictions put in place by the state home department. According to reports, the state government has instructed all the puja mandals across Maharashtra to avoid dandiya, garba or any other cultural event.
Reportedly, the government has asked mandals to instead organise health awareness programmes about COVID-19, and other diseases, and also host blood donation drives.
The Maharashtra government has set the following rules for Navratri celebration:

• As was during Ganeshotsav, the height of Devi idols won’t be more than 4 ft in public mandals and 2 ft in homes.
• Either metal or marble idols can be bought for puja rather than clay idols. Immersion to be done at home or at artificial immersion sites.
• To control the crowd, not more than five devotees are allowed inside the pandal at a time.
• The mandals won’t serve any food or drink.
• The mandals are instructed to abide by all the safety rules, such as social distancing, thermal screening, use of masks and sanitizers.
• Mandals shall also facilitate online darshan.
• Ravan Dahan on Dussehra will be done in a symbolic manner without the crowds, and streamed online, if feasible.

The famous Navratri mandals in Thane won’t be celebrating the festival this year. In addition, news has it that Parsik Nagar celebrations won’t be held either.