A day before Gudi Padwa, the Maharashtrian New Year, crowd gathered at Dadar flower market in Mumbai.
Maharashtra will celebrate Gudi Padwa on Tuesday (April 13).
This is despite the state witnessing an unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases. In normal circumstances, people flock to the market to buy flowers and other puja materials.
Just like last year, the government has urged people to avoid celebrating any festival in public to curb the spread of the virus.
However, a huge crowd was seen at Dadar flower market on Monday.
See pictures here
BL Soni/ FPJ photo
BL Soni/ FPJ photo
BL Soni/ FPJ photo
BL Soni/ FPJ photo
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led government has issued a list of guidelines to be followed during the Gudi Padwa celebrations this year. As per the guidelines, a gathering of more than five people is prohibited in public places from 7 am to 8 pm across the state. Processions, bike rallies, etc. have also been banned.
Check out the full list of guidelines:
1. The government has urged the people for a low-key celebration from 7 am to 8 pm (as there is a night curfew from 8 pm onwards).
2. The government has banned processions, bike rallies and prabhat pheris, which are traditionally organised to welcome the new New Year.
3. A gathering of more than five people is prohibited in public places from 7 am to 8 pm across the state.
4. Following social distancing and other COVID-19 norms, the gudis should be assembled at homes.
5. On Gudi Padwa, the government has urged the local administration to organise health camps, blood donation camps, camps to raise awareness about cleanliness, etc, However, COVID-19 norms must be strictly followed.
Amid the raging pandemic, similar guidelines were also issued during the festivals of Ganesh Utsav, Eid, Dussehra, Christmas, etc.
After reporting 63,294 COVID-19 cases on Sunday--the highest single-day spike since the pandemic outbreak last year, Maharashtra recorded a dip in its numbers on Monday. With 51,751 new cases in the day, the number of active cases in the state has jumped to 5,64,746.
