Odisha prohibits ‘Kartika Purnima’ celebration this year

Bhubaneswar: As Odisha is passing through a critical stage of Covid-19 pandemic and there is a need for strict adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols, the State government today decided to ban congregations relating to Kartika Purnima and Bada Osha this year. Kartika Purnima falls on November 30, 2020.

In an order, the Special Relief Commissioner’s Office said congregation at river ghats /near other water bodies to take bath and sail miniature boats on the occasion of Kartika Purnima, conduct of Bali Yatra and congregations relating to Kartika Purnima and Bada Osha will remain prohibited throughout the State.

The order added any person found violating it will be punished under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws.

Earlier, the government prohibited large social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions and other gatherings in the State till November 30, 2020.

Usually large number of people congregate at river ghats or near other water bodies to take bath in the wee/ morning hours and sail miniature boats on Kartika Purnima. Besides, Bali Yatra is organized at different places including Cuttack, Paradeep and Bhubaneswar attracting large number of people.