Restricted Janmashtami celebrations due to coronavirus

The Gorakhnath temple, like many others in Gorakhpur, is being cleaned and prepared in such a way that maintaining social distance would not be a problem. The atmosphere, with lots of lights and 'bhajans' (devotional songs) has already become lively.

Gorakhpur: Gorakhnath temple is all decked up for the festival of Janmashtami, which is to be celebrated on Wednesday, but the celebrations would be curtailed in view of the Covid-19 health crisis.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, also the 'Mahant' (head priest) of the Gorakhnath Math, who has been participating in the celebrations for several years, is expected to visit the temple.

To curb the spread of coronavirus, special arrangements have been made and only the selected few would be allowed to participate in the function, a temple official said.

The temple, like many others in Gorakhpur, is being cleaned and prepared in such a way that maintaining social distance would not be a problem. The atmosphere, with lots of lights and 'bhajans' (devotional songs) has already become lively.

Security arrangements have also been beefed up in view of the chief minister's visit.