People urged not to crowd during festivals

Kathmandu - In view of COVID-19 pandemic, the Kathmandu district administration office has urged the general people and concerned authorities not to organise any type of programmes that draw a crowd on the occasion of upcoming festivals like Indra Jatra and Haritalika Teej. However, indoor rituals could be conducted during the festivals by strictly keeping to the health safety protocols, said Chief District Officer Janak Raj Dahal.

The decision taken by a meeting of the district security committee on Tuesday was in view of the infection increasing in the Kathmandu Valley, he said. This year, there is no environment to celebrate Indra Jatra owing to the risk of infection, said Hari Prasad Subedi, chief of the Kathmandu branch of the Guthi Sansthan. This year under this festival, rituals of installation of the Lingo are scheduled for August 30 at 7.7 am, and the main ritual is on September 1.