NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, JAN 14
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday celebrated the Uttarayan festival in Ahmedabad in a low-key manner because of the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
आज जगन्नाथ मंदिर (अहमदाबाद) में गौ पूजन करने का भी सौभाग्य प्राप्त हुआ। pic.twitter.com/L1jwVOX2Io
— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) January 14, 2021
Shah, who is on a visit to his home town on the occasion of the festival, offered prayers at the Jagannath Temple here with his family members to mark the day.
He performed ”aarti” and also worshipped a cow and an elephant at the temple as per the tradition.
Tight security arrangements were made at the temple ahead of his visit.
उत्तरायण के पावन अवसर पर आज अहमदाबाद के सुप्रसिद्ध श्री जगन्नाथ मंदिर में पूजा अर्चना की। महाप्रभु जगन्नाथ सभी पर अपनी कृपा बनायें। जय जगन्नाथ! pic.twitter.com/F4U7gFQz7U
— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) January 14, 2021
“On the auspicious occasion of Uttarayan, offered prayers at the famous Shri Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad today. May Lord Jagannath extend his blessings to all. Jai Jagannath!” Shah tweeted in Hindi.
Unlike the past when Shah used to visit the residence of one of the local BJP leaders to fly kites along with his supporters, the Union minister celebrated the festival this time only with his family members.
ઉત્તરાયણનું પર્વ આપ સૌના જીવનમાં સુખ,શાંતિ અને વૈભવ લાવે. ઉત્તરાયણની હાર્દિક શુભકામનાઓ. pic.twitter.com/pfUYnhzLrO
— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) January 14, 2021
The Gujarat government has banned flying kites in open grounds or public areas.
The government has also prohibited loudspeakers and sound amplifier systems and allowed only family members and residents of housing societies on terraces to avoid large gatherings.
இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள் !!
உலகெங்கிலும் வாழும் தமிழ் சமூகத்தை சேர்ந்த நமது சகோதர சகோதரிகளுக்கு இனிய பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள். இந்த தை திருநாள் அனைவருக்கும் நிறைந்த மகிழ்ச்சியையும், அமைதியையும், நல்ல ஆரோக்கியத்தையும் தரட்டும். pic.twitter.com/l80GUyPXwO
— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) January 14, 2021
He visited the houses of his relatives and flew kites on terraces of buildings in the city’s Thaltej and Ghatlodia localities.
He was greeted by his supporters at both the places where he stayed briefly.
Several Gujarat leaders kept the celebration low-key with Chief Minister Vijay Rupani skipping flying kites in his hometown of Rajkot.
અમદાવાદ ખાતે ભારત સરકારના માર્ગ પરિવહન અને રાજમાર્ગ મંત્રાલય તથા ગુજરાત સરકારના માર્ગ અને મકાન વિભાગ દ્વારા ઉવારસદ જંકશન પર નિર્મિત "ફ્લાયઓવર" નું લોકાર્પણ કર્યું. pic.twitter.com/xGZo23OXu0
— Nitin Patel (Modi ka Parivar) (@Nitinbhai_Patel) January 14, 2021
Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel preferred to mark the day by inaugurating a flyover and a newly-constructed road between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
અમદાવાદ ખાતે ગુજરાત સરકારના માર્ગ અને મકાન વિભાગ દ્વારા "ત્રિ-મંદિર અડાલજ થી હનુમાનજી મંદિર સુધીના ૧૦-માર્ગીય રસ્તા" નું
લોકાર્પણ કર્યું. pic.twitter.com/64SAP1uEkk— Nitin Patel (Modi ka Parivar) (@Nitinbhai_Patel) January 14, 2021
The Gujarat government has banned flying kites in open grounds or public areas.
The government has also prohibited loudspeakers and sound amplifier systems and allowed only family members and residents of housing societies on terraces to avoid large gatherings because of the pandemic.
People across the state kept the celebrations simple because of the COVID-19-related restrictions.
In many places, people flew kits on terraces of their houses in small groups and did not play loud music.
Long queues were seen at some places outside shops selling traditional delicacies like ”Undhiyu”, but people were largely seen following social distancing norms.
The police kept a strict vigil to ensure people follow the government’s guidelines on COVID-19 prevention.
To prevent large gatherings, the police used drone cameras and binoculars to keep an eye on terraces of high-rise buildings and open grounds.
Patrolling was also intensified in some sensitive areas of Ahmedabad, a police official said.
Makar Sankranti, a harvest festival, is celebrated as Uttarayan in Gujarat. Kite flying, making delicacies with til (sesame seeds) and gur (jaggery), taking a holy bath in rivers are part of Uttarayan festivities.
Makar Sankranti marks the end of the winter solstice month and beginning of longer days.
