Pandemic affects all functions except ritual puja in Humla shrines

For fear of COVID-19, different shrines in all seven rural municipalities in the district of Humla could not organize grand celebrations except the formal performances on the occasion of Saune Purnima, which used to be observed with fanfare here.

Chief District Officer of Humla Ganesh Acharya said that the decision was taken for fear of the spread of coronavirus. The five-day-long celebration of Saune Purnima Fair started in Humla from today. As per the tradition, the locals perform puja in the shrines and the people of different ages play Deuda in groups. CDO Acharya said all celebrations have been suspended due to COVID-19 menace in the district headquarters Simkot too. “Humla is at high risk of infection.

So, a meeting of the District COVID-19 Control Management Committee has directed to take complete health precautions in all shrines and suspend Deuda celebrations,” CDO Acharya said. Likewise, human mobility in the district headquarters is restricted after 9:00 pm, adding that hotels and shops are directed to close their business after that time. In the afternoon, the locals perform Dhami dance in the holy shrines while people of different age groups sing Deuda songs and dance in the evening. A meeting of the District Security Committee held on Friday decided to beef up security situation in the district headquarters until Saun Purnima, according to CDO Acharya. —–