COVID-19: Odisha govt bans Kanwariya Yatra (Bol Bom)

Bhubaneswar: With the rising COVID-19 cases, the Odisha government on Saturday decided not to allow Bol Bom devotees to perform ‘Jalalagi Puja’ in this Shravan month.

The govt has decided not to allow ‘Bol Bom’ devotees or ‘Kanwariyas’  to collect water in groups from rivers and to offer prayers at Shiva temples across Odisha on each Monday of holy Odia month of Shravan, informed Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena.

Kanwariya Yatra or Bol Bom Yatra is performed every year in the month of Shravan.

“Kaudias/Bol Bom devotees are not allowed to carry water from any religious place or any other sources & also not allowed to walk on any public road & pour water in any Temples/Shiva Temples during the month of Shravan (July/August),” said Jena in the order.

Notably, religious places have been closed for the general public in the state till July 31.