Viswakarma Puja marks the birth anniversary of Lord Viswakarma. It is celebrated every year on September 17. The day is a major celebration for craftsmen, factory workers, laborers, offices, and many institutions. Lord Viswakarma is regarded as the Lord of creation, an engineer, and also an architect. The puja is celebrated with a lot of passion and cheerfulness.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Assam is gearing up to celebrate Viswakarma Puja. However, this year’s scenario is completely the opposite. Unlike in previous years, there is no zeal or fanfare this year.
The COVID-19 scenario of Assam is spiking rapidly. The government has imposed several guidelines and restrictions regarding the celebration of Viswakarma Puja. The District Administration and the Police have released SOPs before Viswakarma Puja.
According to the SOP, not more than 15-20 people can be present at the Puja pandal at the same time. Every person will have to wear a mask. They will have to follow social distancing and follow all the other COVID-19 norms.
There is also a restriction in the distribution of wet food (Prasad) in many districts. However, they can distribute dry Prasad in packing.
As per the guidelines by Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, Keerthi Jalli, wearing of masks is mandatory. Also, maintaining physical social distance is mandatory. The celebration of Viswakarma puja will be done with a maximum of 15 people at a time. There will be no congregation of people at any place.
There will be no decoration of pandals, lighting or roadside stalls will be permitted. However, pitri-tarpan is allowed on the river banks. But, they will have to follow and maintain all the COVID-19 protocols. Strict actions will be taken if there is any violation in maintaining the protocols.