Paya Shraddha rituals on Diwali not allowed at Lingaraj in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar: In view of possible spread of COVID-19 infections due to congregation at Bindusagar lake and in front of the Lingaraj Temple on the occasion of Diwali, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities have banned special rituals including ‘Paya Shraddha’ at these two places in the city.

The decision has been taken in view of restriction imposed by the government on large religious congregation as per Clause 2(ii) of an order dated October 31, 2020, by the Chief Secretary to ensure public safety, the BMC stated in a release today.

As per the decision, no person will be allowed to offer Paya Shraddha to ancestors at Bindusagar and Singha Dwara of Lingaraj Temple on Diwali tomorrow.

Worth mentioning, the Government has already banned the sale of firecrackers till Diwali this year.