Covid-19 effect: Janmashtami celebrations go virtual
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way major festivals are celebrated, with Krishna Janmashtami, too, taking the virtual route this year. As temples resort to strict social distancing guidelines and restricted entries, devotees will be able to join the celebrations from their homes — virtually.
Archit Das, director, Iskcon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dwarka, Delhi, says, “More than five lakh people visit the temple on Janmashtami every year, but now we might only witness 5,000-10,000 people. And they will have to book an appointment in advance. Circles will be made for people to follow social distancing in queues, and hands-free sanitisers have been installed as well. Also, not more than 40 people will be allowed at a time, and only 30 seconds per person will be allotted for darshan.”
Adding that no marquees will be set up this year, he says, “Only the abhishek will be on a grand scale, and we will live stream 24 hours on our YouTube channel.”
With dance and cultural performances — a highlight of the festival — dropped this year, celebrations will be lowkey in many temples. “Only one gate will be opened for entry and it will be mandatory to wear a mask. We have also set up a sanitising chamber at the entry gate. This year, the celebration will be restricted to only the temple hall; we are not setting up jhaankiyaan (tableaux) or pandals,” says Vrajendranandan Das, director, communications, Iskcon, East of Kailash, Delhi.
“The maha abhishek will take place at 10pm, which will be followed by a maha aarti at 12.30am, and at 1am the temple will be closed. All of this will be telecasted live on our YouTube channel as well as our Hare Krishna TV,” he adds.
Janmashtami celebrations in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, witness influx of devotees from across the world, but no public events will be held here this year in light of the pandemic. The Iskcon Vrindavan is holding a virtual event to keep the festive vibes alive among the people.
Saurabh Trivikram, director, communications, Iskcon Vrindavan, says, “This year, we will be celebrating Janmashtami virtually. Our programme will start at 10pm with the abhishek. We will be available on video calls throughout the day, so if anyone wants to join, they can contact us and we will provide the link. There will be all-day bhajans and kirtans in the temple hall. No performances or dance festival will happen this year.”