Summary:
Ghaziabad: The pandemic affected the annual Chhath Puja festival as the gathering of devotees Friday evening at the banks of the Hindon was reduced to about one-fourth the usual.
Officials said that they had made several appeals to residents to offer prayers at home due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) disease.
According to officials’ estimates, the gathering was about 15,000-20,000, as against an estimated gathering of over one lakh seen every year.
Though a majority of devotees wore face masks, social-distancing was hardly observed.
.
Ghaziabad: The pandemic affected the annual Chhath Puja festival as the gathering of devotees Friday evening at the banks of the Hindon was reduced to about one-fourth the usual.
Officials said that they had made several appeals to residents to offer prayers at home due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) disease.
According to officials’ estimates, the gathering was about 15,000-20,000, as against an estimated gathering of over one lakh seen every year.
Though a majority of devotees wore face masks, social-distancing was hardly observed.
Community associations, however, felt the number to be higher.
“We estimate that there were about three lakh people there on Friday, as against the seven-eight lakh who come out every year.
The gathering was reduced considerably as those who could not make arrangements at home came out.