MONDAY, MAY 06, 2024
Team Herald
Ponda: With the COVID restrictions, the annual Zatra festivities across Ponda taluka have seen a lukewarm response.
Due to the lack of visitors, the business of traditional vendors, such as those who sell Khaje, flowers etc have taken a hit.
While most of the temples have allowed few stalls, some have cancelled the fair-like stalls being set up in their premises as well drama and entertainment programmes.
The artists too would always stage professional dramas and other programmes during the Zatras. Given the large number of temples located in Ponda, these vendors and artists would earn their livelihood here.
The Zatra season that commenced in November has not seen the large crowds that usually frequent the temples during this period.
With the latest SOPs, the temples are only conducting religious rituals, that too with the presence of limited persons. For Zatras, it is a limited celebration as well.
One temple has even decided to control crowds at the Zatra by allowing only two hundred people at a time for the Zatra and has suggested that children below 10 years of age and senior citizens avoid the celebrations.
The traditional Palkhis, Rathostav and Diwaja celebrations will be held with a limited audience.
