Bhubaneswar, Aug 11: For the first time, the festival of ‘Janmashtami’ (birth of Lord Krishna) is being celebrated at temples without the presence of devotees in Odisha as the state government is yet to grant permission for opening of religious places for public.

The rituals and pujas on the birthday of Lord Krishna are being performed at Krishna Temples across the state by the priests but the devotees are not allowed keeping in view the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the pandemic casts its shadow on the festival, businesses associated with the festival have been hit worst.

But devotees are celebrating Lord Krishna’s birthday at home. Believers fast the whole day and keep a vigil into the night as it is believed that Krishna was born at midnight.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today greeted people on the occasion of Janmashtami.