Bengaluru:Amidst fears of the onset of a third wave of Covid in the days to come and back-to-back festivals lined up in the auspicious month of 'Shraavana' (August-September), Karnataka on Thursday ordered a ban on large scale religious, cultural and entertainment congregation/processions of people besides giving free hand to all district authorities to decide on enforcing restrictions locally on the festive days.
In a fresh set of elaborate restriction guidelines for the celebration of festivals, Karnataka has banned all kinds of processions associated with both festivals (Muharram and Gowri-Ganesha festivals) as both of these festivals observed by devotees of respective communities for at least 10 days in row and both of these festivals attract large number devotees and processions by respective communities. As per these new guidelines, the state government stated that all prayers associated with Muharram shall be held at Masjids (mosques) strictly adhering to Covid rules.
For Muslims, Muharram is considered to be the second holiest month after Ramzan, is the first month of the Islamic Year or the Hijri calendar. The Muslim society's two major sects Shias and Sunnis observe the tragedy of ?ussain martyrdom in battle of Karbala in a contrasting manner. Shia's take out street processions self-flagellation at various locations, while Sunnis do so to a much lesser extent, storytelling, weeping and taking out processions but do not indulge in self-flagellation.