Budhi Thakurani Yatra-2021 Permission Granted by Commissioner, BeMC
Odishabarta News
Berhampur: The biennial festival of Goddess Budhi Thakurani in Berhampur of Ganjam district was finally granted by the administration in view of the rising Covid-19 cases Nation.
Devotees from outside the district and State come to witness the yatra and therefore managing crowd during the procession will be a challenging task.
It may be noted that Thakurani Yatra which is usually observed for 21 to 25 days which administration well aware but this year, the Ganjam district administration had directed the concerned yatra authorities to minimise the period of celebration due to the ongoing pandemic.
Finally keeping all risk factor infornt and the emotion of Ganjam administration granted permission by following Covid guidelines with some condition.
Today in a press note the BeMC Commissioner Siddeshwar Baliram Bondar quoted a well quote in his tweeter as;
Whereas, it is observed that in many places people are showing complacency in Observing the basic COVID-19 protocols which are making the environment conducive for spread of COVID-19 infection;
Whereas, recently a new strain of Cavid-19 virus has been detected and there is recent spike in the number of new covid-19 cases in some states of India viz; Maharashtra, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat etc., it is highly essential to regulate the expected large public congregations in Berhampur in connection with celebration “Maa Budhi Thakurani” yatra to break the chain of COVID-19 infection;
Hence, after due assessment of ground level situation and due consultation with the relevant stakeholder’s permission has been granted in conformity with the Order No.:-7384/R&DM (DM) Dated 30.12.2020 of the Revenue Disaster Management Department, But as per the previous experience, it is expected that devotees in large number will visit Berhampur on the eve of “Maa Budhi Thakurani yatra festival. Therefore, it is imperative to regulate the public congregation to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in Berhampur.
The following SOP is formulated which needs to be followed scrupulously by Maa Thakurani Yatra Committee. It is Mandatory for general public devotees to wear mask at all times inside and outside the temporary Mandap made for Maa Thakurani.
The yatra committee should sanitise the premises of the Mandap on daily basis. Further ensuring Covid 19 protocols is the sole responsibility of the Yatra committee. The yatra committee should make provision of thermal scanner at the entrance of the Mandap and all devotees should be screened before allowing them inside the Mandap. any persons having fever, cough & cold and flu like symptoms should not be allowed for entering into the Mandap premises and he/she should be advised for consultation with the medical team. Considering present COVID-19 situation & past experience of yatra, after due consultation with yatra committee it is expected that, large number of devotee from other districts and states like Gujurat , Maharashtra etc will come to attend the yatra. Hence, in the larger public intrest to restrict planned journey by devotees from other states & to minimize the chances of infection of COVID – 19, yatra period of seven (07) days is allowed excluding day of going to Mandap and coming back to Maa Thakurani Temple.
As large number of devotees gather during movement of deity in different streets of Berhampur (Ghata Parikrama ) where following of social distancing and COVID norms is not possible. Devotees gather to cleanse the feet of Maa Thakurani and for “Darshan” purpose where huge crowd is observed in earlier yatras.
After due consultation with stake holders of the city the yatra committee is directed that they should not take deity to different streets of Berhampur. It has been decided not to erect any”Kala Kunja and chariot in different streets keeping.
in view of huge congregation in the streets. General Public Devotees must sanitize their hands before entering into the Mandap. General Public Devotees should not touch the idol inside the Mandap.
General Public/ Devotees shall maintain physical distance at all times as per COVID- 19 guidelines issued by Government of Odisha. Un-necessary gathering/crowding in common passages/corridors is strictly prohibited.
Anna Prasad Kendra or any type of community dinning & distribution is strictly Prohibited. Parking of the vehicle should be done at the identified and designated earmarked places by the yatra committee. Chewing tobacco / betel (Paan) / spitting inside Mandap premises is strictly prohibited.
The high risk categories of people like persons above 65 years of age, persons with Co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below 10 years are advised not to visit the Mandap in view of prevailing COVID-19 situation
