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Two days free entry at Raigad fort for worshippers on Shiv Jayanti

The Uddhav Thackeray-led government has allowed a free entry for two days at Raigad Fort for all the visitors on the occasion of Shiva Jayanti. In the wake of coronavirus pandemic, the state government has issued guidelines for the celebration.

Two days free entry at Raigad fort for worshippers on Shiv Jayanti
SHARES

The Uddhav Thackeray-led government has allowed a free entry for two days at Raigad Fort for all the visitors on the occasion of Shiva Jayanti. On request of Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, Archaeological Department has also kept the gates opened for 24 hours for the worshippers. However, the tourists are allowed on the fort from 7 am to 5 pm.

In the wake of coronavirus pandemic, the state government had banned processions and cultural-religious programs and urged people to have a simple celebration this year. The processions, motorbike rallies should be avoided and cultural programs should be telecast through cable networks or online platforms instead of holding them in public, the guidelines said.

Moreover, statues or portraits of Shivaji Maharaj can be garlanded in the presence of a maximum of 10 persons by observing social distancing, the government said.

Shiv Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the iconic 17th-century ruler, is celebrated with great fervour in the state. Shivaji Maharaj was born on February 19, 1630, on the Shivneri fort in Pune district and people gather on that and other forts in large numbers on the midnight of February 18 every year, the official statement noted.

But this time, the revellers gathering at forts (built by Shivaji Maharaj) at the midnight of February 18, have been advised to keep the celebration low key. Blood donation camps and programs to spread awareness about COVID-19, malaria, dengue and other diseases should be organized while observing social distancing, the guidelines advised. 

BJP, however, criticised the MVA government’s move to restrict Shiv Jayanti celebrations, saying the same government did not impose any restrictions on events such as the recently held Elgar Parishad. The opposition party also alleged that when it comes to reopening liquor shops or promoting nightlife, the state government seems to be not giving much thought to the pandemic.

After this, the state government was compelled to amend the guidelines imposed earlier and has allowed a gathering of around 100 people on the day.

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