Kakinada: Clampdown leads to cancellation of Ugadi celebrations

Kakinada: This year's 'Ugadi' has lost its festival fervour due to COVID-19 clampdown in East Godavari. The festival which is always celebrated to herald the Telugu new year - this year it is Sharvari Samvat - has lost its sheen due to the restrictions and curfew imposed by the authorities.

The government has already warned people to celebrate the festival in a low note, but the latest clampdown has dissipated even that enthusiasm now.

Usually, the markets would have been bristling with the consumers thronging it to buy the necessary items. Now, the window is restricted to about three hours in the morning and those who could not visit the crowded markets on Tuesday, are left with the last minute shopping on Wednesday.

The district collector, D Muralidhar Reddy, has declared that essential commodities would be available for people between 6 a.m. of Wednesday to 10 am No vehicles would be allowed on the streets later during the day.

Even temples will not be allowed to entertain devotees and no special pujas would be allowed inside.

Suryaraopet Nukalamma Temple authorities have already cancelled the annual jatara in Kakinada, usually held ahead of Ugadi. The practice was that the jatara would begin at Suryaraopet with huge gathering of devotees and followed by a rally till Nukalamma temple.

Endowment Department officials took a decision to cancel the various sevas and Antaralaya Darshans. Annavaram Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swami Devasthanam Executive Officer Vendra Trinatha Rao speaking to "The Hans India" here on Tuesday, said that had had instructed the temples and Endowment department to take precautionary steps against Covid 19.

Mr. Rao advised the devotees against visiting the temple up to March 31. Mr. Rao said that except the head priest none would be allowed to enter the temp;le. The same priest would render Panchanga Sravarnam as well this year. Devasthanam Board Member, Garimella Kesavudu said no one other than the chief priest would be allowed.