MUMBAI: Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra on Saturday with fervor, but in a moderate way under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, Laxmi Pujan, the main day of Diwali, and Naraka Chaturdashi, are celebrated on the same day on Saturday.
In Maharashtra, families celebrate this day by getting up early in the morning and taking an ‘abhyanga snan’ (ritual bath) according to custom. People light earthen lamps, adorn balconies with ‘akash kandil’ (sky lantern), and colorful rangoli patterns are drawn at the entrance of houses.
Early morning ‘Diwali Pahat’ cultural programs in major Maharashtra cities including Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Nashik, have become an integral part of the festival. However, these programs were lacking this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.
However, some organizations held online programs, such as music events and interviews.
Lake Masunda in Thane town and Phadke Road in Dombivli (in Thane district) are famous places for such programs, where people gather in large numbers to enjoy the cultural spectacle. However, such celebrations were canceled this year due to the pandemic.
Even as the Maharashtra government has not banned firecrackers, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) led by Shiv Sena has announced a ban on the use of cookies and fireworks in the city to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
However, the civic body has allowed the use of ‘soft firecrackers’ in Laxmi Pujan, saying that Mumbaikars can use anar (cookie known for a bright display and showers of colored sparks up) and ‘fulzadi’ (sparklers) in their private facilities.
In a recent review meeting with high-level members of the COVID-19 task force on preparing for a possible second wave, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope had said that firecrackers could have an adverse effect on the lungs. .
Maharashtra has so far recorded 17,40,461 positive cases of coronavirus, while 45,809 people have died so far due to the infection.
In Maharashtra, families celebrate this day by getting up early in the morning and taking an ‘abhyanga snan’ (ritual bath) according to custom. People light earthen lamps, adorn balconies with ‘akash kandil’ (sky lantern), and colorful rangoli patterns are drawn at the entrance of houses.
Early morning ‘Diwali Pahat’ cultural programs in major Maharashtra cities including Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Nashik, have become an integral part of the festival. However, these programs were lacking this year due to the coronavirus outbreak.
However, some organizations held online programs, such as music events and interviews.
Lake Masunda in Thane town and Phadke Road in Dombivli (in Thane district) are famous places for such programs, where people gather in large numbers to enjoy the cultural spectacle. However, such celebrations were canceled this year due to the pandemic.
Even as the Maharashtra government has not banned firecrackers, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) led by Shiv Sena has announced a ban on the use of cookies and fireworks in the city to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
However, the civic body has allowed the use of ‘soft firecrackers’ in Laxmi Pujan, saying that Mumbaikars can use anar (cookie known for a bright display and showers of colored sparks up) and ‘fulzadi’ (sparklers) in their private facilities.
In a recent review meeting with high-level members of the COVID-19 task force on preparing for a possible second wave, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope had said that firecrackers could have an adverse effect on the lungs. .
Maharashtra has so far recorded 17,40,461 positive cases of coronavirus, while 45,809 people have died so far due to the infection.
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