In the absence of guidelines from the state government regarding the Covid-19 protocols for a series of upcoming festivals, Kali Puja committees in Ranchi have decided to stick to the Durga Puja guidelines, but have sought a few additional relaxations, including the permission to distribute bhog and decorate pandals with lights.

“The government is yet to issue guidelines for Kali Puja, so we have decided to follow the guidelines that were issued for Durga Puja,” Vinay Singh, president of Ranchi Mahanagar Kali Puja Committee, said on Thursday.

“We have only 10 days left to make all the arrangements, so we cannot afford to wait for the guidelines,” he added.

Diwali and Kali Puja are likely to be celebrated on November 14, while Chhath, one of the largest festivals of Jharkhand and Bihar, will be celebrated across the state on November 20.

Representatives of various Kali Puja committees recently met two ministers, Rameshwar Oraon (finance) and Badal (agriculture), and sought additional relaxations during Kali Puja. “We expect the government to allow lighting at pandals, distribution of bhog and presence of at least 25 people during immersion,” said Singh.

At least 50 pandals are erected across Ranchi during Kali Puja every year. Some of the popular Kali Puja pandals have decided to keep the arrangements low-key this year in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The festival often coincides with Diwali and is celebrated on the same night.

Ranchi district administration has started inspecting various water bodies across the state capital for Chhath. An official from the district administration on Thursday said that the government is likely to issue elaborate guidelines for Chhath, as maintaining social distancing would be a major challenge during this festival.

Thousands of devotees visit water bodies across Ranchi during Chhath and offer arghya, a holy ritual of offering water to the Sun god. Chhath ghats are usually overcrowded during the festival, which is likely to make it difficult for the administration to maintain social distancing, sources said.

“We have started preparing the water bodies for Chhath. However, it is advisable to offer arghya at home this year as the fear of transmission is quite high when people visit the banks of lakes and ponds and perform the rituals,” said Amarnath Sarkar, a member of the Tiril Chhath Committee.

Meanwhile, the sale of crackers has already begun across the state capital, and the government is yet to take a stand to check air and sound pollution.