Aurangabad (Maharashtra), April 25 : Amid the COVID surge, Mahavir Jayanti-the birth of Lord Mahavir-was celebrated on Sunday across eight districts of the Marathwada region in a restrained manner.

Since the religious places are shut for public, prayers were offered at the Jain temples with select presence of devotees.

Devoid of the usual fanfare around the festival like 2020, Marathwada this year too wore a deserted look sans the devotional processions.

The raging pandemic has altered our holy manners as several temples made arrangements for online darshans, echoing stay-at-home message on the 2620th birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir.

In Aurangabad city, the devotees held a flag hoisting at Mahavir Chowk, Baba petrol pump, Razabazar Jain temple and Guru Ganeshnagar.

As Corona has caused blood shortage, the Shanti group and the Cidco Royal Jain group organised blood donation camps at the Ahinsa Bhavan in the N-3 locality.

In the remaining parts of Marathwada also, Jains stayed indoors and observed the day by chanting ‘Namokar Mahamantra’.(UNI)