Maharashtra issues guidelines for Holi, Good Friday – Full details here

Owing to a massive spike in the number of cases in Maharashtra, the state government said that Holi should be celebrated in a simple manner, observing social distancing norms and without coming together in any way given the increasing spread of COVID-19.

“The festival should be celebrated in a simple manner, observing social distancing norms and without coming together in any way given the increasing spread of COVID-19. Rang Panchami too should be celebrated in a simple manner,” the government said in a statement.

People should celebrate Holi in a simple manner considering the rise in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra and crowding should be avoided, the state government said on Friday. Holi will be celebrated on March 28 and Rang Panchami falls a day later.

Guidelines for Holi:

“The festival should be celebrated in a simple manner, observing social distancing norms and without coming together in any way given the increasing spread of COVID-19. Rang Panchami too should be celebrated in a simple manner,” the government said in a statement.

The Konkan region of the state has a tradition of carrying a ‘palki’ or palanquin in a procession on Holi. The state government said this should be confined to temples and asked the local administration to do the needful.

“No big religious or cultural programmes should be organised on the day of Holi and Rang Panchami,” the government added.

Good Friday and Easter guidelines:

The state government also urged the Christian community to observe Good Friday (on April 2) and celebrate Easter Sunday (on April 4) in a simple manner in view of the spread of the disease.

The government said, if a church is spacious, maximum of 50 persons should attend the prayer meet there during the holy week from March 28 to April 4.

If the church is smaller in size, then a special prayer meet should be held in the presence of 10-25 persons, and four to five special masses may be organised depending on the need, it said.

It said adherence to COVID-19 protocols, including wearing masks, using hand sanitisers etc, must be ensured, adding that efforts must also be made to broadcast prayer meets online.

(With agency inputs)