Holi Celebration: Other Holi events in Dubai were also canceled earlier. (Representative)
Dubai:
Hindu temples in Dubai have canceled the upcoming Holi celebrations and advised against playing with colors to prevent the spread of the novel corona virus.
This is in addition to other preventive measures, such as reducing prayer times and providing disinfectants as part of preventive measures to protect followers and the wider community, management of Shiva and Krishna temples told Gulf News on Saturday.
"The Holi celebrations have been canceled. We are taking precautions according to the instructions of the DHA (Dubai Health Authority)," said Gopal Kokani, general manager of Guru Darbar Sindhi Temple (Shiva Temple).
"We usually celebrate the burning of cow dung cake on the first day of Holi on March 9th (Monday). We have already released a notice informing all supporters of the cancellation," he said, adding that the daily opening hours of the Temples have also been reduced.
Lalit Karani, chairman of the Sreenathji (Krishna) Temple, which is operated by the Mercantile Hindu Community of Thatta, told Gulf News that the Holi celebrations scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been canceled in the interests of public health security.
"The Holi Utsav and Dhol Utsav are not celebrated in public," the temple administration said in a message to the followers, which is also spread on social media.
"We urge everyone to avoid unnecessary gatherings to limit the spread of infections. Avoid throwing colors (wet / dry) into the temple compound and compound area."
Karani said Monday's campfire and Tuesday's paint splash would only be an offering to Lord Krishna.
Other Holi events in Dubai had also been canceled earlier.
