Amid a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, thousands converged at the Banke Bihari Temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Vrindavan to celebrate Holi.
In a video tweeted by ANI, thousands of devotees, without facemasks, were seen thronging the famous Mathura temple while tossing colours in the air.
#WATCH | Devotees play #Holi at Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan. pic.twitter.com/YYxYRRHVWr
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 29, 2021
People celebrated Holi at Lucknow and Prayagraj as well, without caring much about COVID-19 protocols.
Locals in Lucknow celebrate #Holi pic.twitter.com/y4xxDbxF9V
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 29, 2021
Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh government had issued directions for “aggressive Covid tests” at airports, bus stations and railway stations, and said the Covid-19 vaccination drive would be intensified.
All kinds of processions have also been banned during the festive season in the state without the administration’s permission. If permission is granted, all those involved will have to follow the basic Covid-19 protocols such as social distancing, wearing face masks and using sanitisers. Further, those above 60 years or younger than 10, and people with co-morbidities will not be allowed to participate in any gathering, The Indian Express said in a report.
Besides Uttar Pradesh, several states and UTs like Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Chandigarh have imposed strict restrictions on all sorts of activities related to the Holi festival, the Indian Express report read.