With a slew of festivals coming up over the next few days, authorities will have to exert extra effort to ensure social distancing. With a nation-wide 21-day lockdown to come into effect after midnight, there are questions over the future of several festivals that will take place in this month and the next.
The vernal Navratri begins from March 25, the nine day celebrations culminating in Ramnavami on April 2. The first day of the Navratri is celebrated across the country by various names: Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba.
Since Prime Minister Modi had said that “Koi Road Par Na Nikle”, it is unlikely that street processions and public gatherings will be allowed in a time of pandemic, as India struggles to contain the virus from spreading further.
Greeting the country on the eve of these festivals, all of which mark the first day of the year, President Ramnath Kovind said, "People must fight the COVID-19 virus with full determination. Maintain social distancing and all other precautions while celebrating the festivals."
Prior to Modi’s address, vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu urged the public to celebrate festivals indoors. “I appeal to the people to celebrate these festivals within their homes and avoid large gatherings. Let us give our complete and unconditional support to our government and our healthcare professionals in the war against COVID- 19,” he said.
Given that the next few weeks are crucial for India, which is sitting on the tip of the infection entering the phase of community transmission, the caution for festivities will need continuous underscoring.
During Navratri, people have the tradition of kanya puja, or inviting seven to nine prepubescent girls and worshipping and feeding them.
There is also a frenzy of shopping, specially for special food items to be consumed during the fasts.
In the first two weeks of April are other festivals—Mahavir Jayanthi on April 6, Easter on April 12 and the first day of Vaisakh month, celebrated on April 13 and 14 variously as Vishu, Bohag Bihu and Poila Boisakh.
April 14 is also the birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the day is usually celebrated with big congregations by his followers.
Will the contagion have gone by then? Given global projections, it appears that there is no early end to this pandemic. Festivities then, will have to adapt to the new rules of society, which is, keeping away from each other.
