KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu District Administration Office (DAO) has urged general people and concerned authorities not to organize any type of programs that draw a crowd on the occasion of upcoming festivals like Indra Jatra and Haritalika Teej.

The DAO urged people at a time amid the increased number of coronavirus cases across the country, including the Kathmandu Valley.

Indoor rituals, however, can be organized during the festivals by strictly keeping to the health safety protocols, said Chief District Officer Janak Raj Dahal.

Hari Prasad Subedi, chief of the Kathmandu branch of the Guthi Sansthan said this year there is no environment to celebrate Indra Jatra owing to the risk of infection.

This year under this festival, rituals of installation of the Lingo are scheduled for August 30 at 7.7 am, and the main ritual is on September 1.