The Maharashtra government on March 17 issued guidelines for Holi, saying people should celebrate the festival of colours without congregating on a large scale and observe COVID-appropriate behaviour as the disease is still prevalent.
This year, ' Holika Dahan' is being observed on Thursday and ' Dhulivandan' and ' Rangpanchami' — during which people apply colours to each other — will be celebrated on March 18 and 22, respectively. “Holi/Shimga is celebrated on a big scale throughout Maharashtra. The festival should possibly be celebrated without crowding and by observing COVID-appropriate behaviour given the coronavirus situation,” the State Home Department said in a circular.
The government said Dhulivandan and Rangpanchami should be celebrated in a simple manner to ensure the coronavirus infection does not spread. The government also asked people against taking ' palkhi' (palanquin) processions to households during the festival.
“Local administration should [instead] arrange for darshan [of palkhi] at the local temple,” the government said. The local administration should also ensure effective observance of the COVID-appropriate behaviour.
Since the last two years, all festivals in the State are being celebrated in a low-key manner in the wake of the pandemic. Of late, Maharashtra has seen a dip in COVID-19 cases. It reported 237 fresh infections and two deaths on Wednesday, as per official figures.
