GUWAHATI: The All Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani Coordination Committee has decided to cancel even the morning rituals of the upcoming Bohag Bihu as was decided earlier due to the country-wide lockdown.
Speaking to G Plus, Kailash Sharma, advisor of the committee informed that all the rituals that were supposed to be conducted on the morning of April 13, the first day of Rongali Bihu festival, have also been cancelled.
“We completely support PM Modi’s decision to shut down the whole country. We also understand that what is most important right now is the safety of lives, rather than celebrations. So, we have decided to cancel all kinds of celebrations to prevent public gathering.”
Earlier, the committee had cancelled all kinds of cultural events that are usually organised to celebrate the Assamese new year as a measure to combat the spread of COVID-19, but had asked all Bihu committees to perform only the rituals on the morning of April 13.
It has to be mentioned that a 21-day lockdown that has been ordered from March 25, would get over on April 14.
Karendra Kalita, member of the West Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani, also informed that although no official decision has been taken yet, but members of the committee are analysing the matter on the same lines.
Kailash Sharma, who is also the President of Sri Sri Maa Ugratara Devalaya Managing Committee added, “The Navaratri or Basanti Puja that starts from March 25, will also not be celebrated as earlier. Three to four ‘pujaris’ of the temple will conduct the main rituals but visitors or any kind of gathering is not allowed. We have also suspended the distribution of ‘prasad’ and ‘bhog’ amongst devotees.”