In Maharashtra, the State Government has called for the cancellation of Dandiya, Garba, and other cultural programmes during the ensuing Navratri, Durga Puja, and Dussehra festivals amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
A circular issued by the government on Tuesday advised celebrating the festival in a simple manner without any sort of public gathering.
 

The SOP released by the government stated the government’s 'My Family, My Responsibility' initiative should be followed. It also stated that efforts should be taken for generating awareness against the spread of COVID-19 and other contagious like malaria and dengue.

 
AIR correspondent reports, along the lines of Ganeshotsav, Maharashtra Government imposed height restrictions of Durga idols to a maximum of four feet.
 
The immersion of the idols should be done at home or in any artificial ponds created by civic bodies or housing societies.
 
The guidelines encouraged online darshan of deities and restricted the entry of persons to five at a time in the pandals.
 
The SOP has encouraged clay or metallic idols instead of POP idols.
 
The burning of Ravana's effigy during the Dussehra should be held in a symbolic manner without any public gathering and can be streamed live through social media platforms.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Covid-19 deaths and cases shot up again with the state toll shooting past 36,000 and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region reporting a staggering 149 deaths in a day. Maharashtra reported 14,976 new COVID-19 cases.

The total count of cases in the state has risen to 13.66 lakh, including 36,181 deaths and 10.69 lakh discharges. Mumbai city reported 1,713 positive cases during the day, which pushed its overall count to 2.2 lakh, while its toll rose to 8,883. India's COVID-19 tally crossed the 62-lakh mark with new cases.