DDMA Allows Chhath Puja in Delhi
The DDMA has now decided to permit Chhath Puja Celebrations, however this needs to be done with covid appropriate behaviour and regulations.
The DDMA (Delhi Disaster Management Authority) had a meeting to decide whether or not the ban on Chhath Puja celebrations should be reconsidered. After the meeting, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia held a press conference. He said that since the covid situation in Delhi is under control, Chhath Puja celebrations will be allowed in public places but with strict guidelines, and limited crowd.
Chhath Puja is a major festival celebrated by those in East Uttar Pradesh and Bihar . The community has a significant population in Delhi, and is concentrated mostly in East Delhi. Chhath is celebrated after Diwali and the ritual involves the offering of 'Arghya' by fasting women to the Sun god in knee-deep water.
Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari who has been demanding permission to allow Chhath Puja celebrations announced a special COVID-19 vaccination drive for 10,000 people who would be performing Chhath Puja across the city. He said, "We have to celebrate Chhath Puja with precautions, so a Special Vaccination Abhiyan will be started. In this campaign, 10,000 devotees who would perform the puja but who could not get vaccinated due to some reason would be covered.
