Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 25 (ANI): As devotees around the country celebrate Dussehra amid the COVID-19 pandemic, locals of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district have observed festivities in a simple manner, to reduce the risk on COVID-19 infection.

Locals claimed that guidelines prescribed by the health ministry were being strictly followed, including wearing of masks, social distancing and sanitisation.

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"This festival has been celebrated for hundreds of years, and this is the first time we are celebrating it minimally like this. The main event of Dussehra is the Ravan Dahan which took place in an orderly fashion. All people maintained social distancing, wore masks and sanitised," said a local who attended the program.

"We gathered here early in the morning for the tying of threads and pooja. We prayed to God to take away all evils including the coronavirus. Even though the celebration was smaller than usual this year, it was very beautiful and peaceful," a priest at the sight said. (ANI)

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(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)