The Hemant Soren led Jharkhand government has banned the Chhath Puja in public water bodies due to COVID-19 pandemic. The state government said in an order that Chhath puja in water bodies including public ponds, lakes, rivers, dams, reservoirs will not be permitted in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

Issuing a statement, the government said, "The festival traditionally attracts huge congregations at Chhath Ghats. Due to the fixed timings of performing the aforementioned rituals, it is not possible to stagger these huge congregations to ensure social distancing."

The statement read further that it is not possible to ensure the compliance of national directive of social distancing norms of '2 gaz ki doori' while performing Chhath Puja in water bodies. "Therefore Chhath Puja in the waters of public pond/lakes/rivers/reservoirs/any other water body shall not be permitted so as to minimize the chances of spread of COVID-19 infection," the government said in an order.

The Hemant Soren led Jharkhand government has banned the Chhath Puja in public water bodies due to COVID-19 pandemic. The state government said in an order that Chhath puja in water bodies including public ponds, lakes, rivers, dams, reservoirs will not be permitted in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

Issuing a statement, the government said, "The festival traditionally attracts huge congregations at Chhath Ghats. Due to the fixed timings of performing the aforementioned rituals, it is not possible to stagger these huge congregations to ensure social distancing."

The statement read further that it is not possible to ensure the compliance of national directive of social distancing norms of '2 gaz ki doori' while performing Chhath Puja in water bodies. "Therefore Chhath Puja in the waters of public pond/lakes/rivers/reservoirs/any other water body shall not be permitted so as to minimize the chances of spread of COVID-19 infection," the government said in an order.