M F AHMED
Daltonganj, Nov 7: Chhath devotees of Palamu district of Jharkhand used to cross the border in order to perform Chhath rituals at the famous Deo Kartik Chhath in Aurangabad, a southern district of Bihar, said sources. The devotees used to spend nearly 3 days at Deo Kartik till the completion of Chhath rituals. Families from Hariharganj, Chhaterpur, Japla reach the place. This crowd even consists of even toddlers and elderly.
Observing this the District Magistrate of Aurangabad has sent a letter to all the DCs of Jharkhand clearly stating that Deo Mandir Neyas Samiti has agreed that no ‘Mela’ or ‘Mahotsav’ will be held at Deo Kartik Chhath.
The Samiti says that only locals and Chhath devotees who are fully vaccinated with both the doses of COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed at Deo Kartik Chhath. Along with this, all the COVID-19 protocols will be strictly adhered to during the festival from November 8 to 11. The DM Aurangabad has urged all the DCs of Jharkhand to comply with the same and stop this transient migration of people for the festival.
Lagatar24.com has a copy of DM Aurangabad’s letter dated October 27, sent to all the DCs of the districts of Jharkhand.
The DM Aurangabad has conceded that the influx of devotees from Jharkhand at the Deo Kartik Chhath is too large for the officials to handle and also in the time of COVID, crowding should be avoided.
DC Palamu Shashi Ranjan said that on the receipt of the DM Aurangabad’s letter he has asked all the SDOs to drive this message among the Chhath devotees and urge them not to visit Deo Kartik Chhath in Aurangabad to either celebrate the festival or observe it. People are requested to stay where they are in their respective places here in Jharkhand and observe the rituals in strict accordance with the COVID appropriate behavior.
SDO sadar Rajesh Kumar Sah held a meeting to this effect with the Chhath ghat organizers and elites of the town where this letter of Aurangabad’s DM was discussed at length. He has requested every member to spread this message. The SDO sadar said that Chhath is celebrated with same zeal and enthusiasm here in Jharkhand with strict COVID management and abiding by all the COVID protocols.
Another SDO Kamleshwar Narain of Hussainabad said that he has asked all the BDOs, COs and officers in charge of the police stations falling in his sub division to convince people not to go to Deo Kartik Chhath in Aurangabad as curbs have been initiated there.
