KATHMANDU: Many Hindu women in Kathmandu valley are celebrating Haritalika Teej today. However, the festivities have been toned-down as a week-long prohibitory order has been imposed to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. Revellers are by and large confined to their homes in the view of the spread of COVID-19.

Citizens have been urged to maintain physical distance and to avoid the places that witness crowds. Authorities have asked people to refrain from gathering at religious places as well in a bid to control the steady rise in the number of infections.

Pashupatinath temple premises wear a deserted look on the day coinciding Haritalika Teej festival in Kathmandu, on Friday, August 21, 2020. The temple has been closed as a week-long prohibitory order has been issued to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. Photo: Balkrishna Thapa/THT