Hindu Seva Samiti Dimapur issues guidelines for puja

In view of the Durga Puja celebrations, Hindu Seva Samiti (HSS) Dimapur has issued various guidelines in order to ensure public safety during the pandemic.

In a press release, HSS Dimapur president Y.P Gupta has informed puja committees to perform pujas in the true religious spirit with discipline and decorum “so that the image of Hindu faith is held high”; All puja pandals should be erected in such a way that they do not disturb public thoroughfare and pandals should display posters and banners on the theme of “clean Dimapur, green Dimapur, save energy”.

Loud speakers should not disturb the neighbourhood and general public and should be put off by 9 p.m.; puja committees to keep strict vigil to prevent consumption of alcohol during the days of puja and immersion functions.

Only devotional songs and music should be played in the puja pandals; puja committees to keep strict vigil on suspected or unclaimed articles lying in or around puja pandals and be immediately informed to the police.

On Vijaya Dashmi day, no procession would be held for immersion as such all trucks carrying idols have been requested to assemble at immersion ghat at purana bazaar on the bank of river dhansiri (below over bridge), 9 a.m., onwards.

Members of puja committees are requested to wear traditional costumes or white chola-pyjama during the immersion procession; to control river pollution, all puja committee have been asked not to bring any type of waste along with the idols; every puja committee is requested to bring any unattended idol lying on the road side for immersion so that idols are not desecrated; puja committees have been requested to prevent scuffles with puja committees or general public.

Hindu Seva Samiti  stated that immersion was a solemn ceremony, therefore, “strict discipline and religious decorum should be maintained and avoid such actions by which the religious sentiments of other communities may hurt.”

Puja committees given 15 volunteer cards along with two guest cards would be permitted inside the Ghat who are vaccinated; puja committee to avoid use of candles and to use only diyas/deepaks in their pandals and temples. 

Puja Committees have been requested to cooperate with district administration, police, Dimapur municipal corporation and Hindu Seva Samiti   to ensure smooth conduct of the pujas and immersion.

Hindu Seva Samiti  also advised the community not to bring children below 10 years and senior citizen above 65 years; devotees have been requested to visit puja pandals till 9 p.m., only.