September 17, 2020: The people of Guwahati observed Mahalaya and Biswakarma Puja on Thursday with religious fervour.

On the occasion of Mahalaya, devotees offered worship to Goddess Durga. They also offered worship to their forefathers as the it is considered an auspicious day to remember our forefathers. The Mahalaya ushers in the Durga Puja and is observed 10 days prior to Durga Puja. But this year, it was observed on Thursday, over a month before Durga Puja as the next month is considered inauspicious. The devotees were seen following Covid health protocols.

Meanwhile, the city also celebrated Biswakarma Puja, the worship of God of architecure and engineering. Though no public puja was held, people offered obeisance to the Lord in private houses, garages, offices and workshops. However, in many places, people were seen violating the norms set by the administration for the devotees.

The Kamrup district administration has on Wednesday issued a set of guidelines for the coming Durga Puja. No puja on public road is allowed. Besides, there shall be no roadside stall. At a time, 30 people are allowed inside a puja pandal including a maximum of 10 priests and committee officials. Visitors will be screened by thermal scanner at the entrance and no entry to be allowed without masks. There shall be no procession on the immersion day. The rituals have to be performed by maximum 5 persons only.

Guwahati Police Commissioner MP Gupta told DY365 that any committee violating the rules will have to face action. It is to be mentioned that during the Biswakarma Puja, the police collected a heavy amount as fine from people not wearing masks.