Lucknow: Ahead of Ram Navmi that sees lakhs of people flock to Ayodhya to celebrate every year, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath has appealed to people to hold any religious ceremony they want to hold at their respective houses and avoid any religious gathering as the country battles the spread of the Covid-19. Chaitra Navratri is imminent and many devotees visit temples especially on the first, second, eight and ninth day. Fairs are also organised in many areas that see mass participation of people. In light of special circumstances , I appeal to the public to perform any religious ceremony at their homes so that the spread of the infectious virus can be prevented," Adityanath said in a government press release on Thursday.Accordingly, the government has directed district magistrates and police authorities of all districts to hold talks with religious leaders and take their help in driving home this message of avoiding religious gatherings during the Chaitra Navratri that will take place from March 25 to April 2. The nine-day period marks the beginning of the Hindu new year and culminates in Ram Navmi- a festival signifying birth of Lord Ram.It was being speculated that despite the looming threat of spread of corona virus, the UP government is going ahead with the fair that is organised every year in Ayodhya."The government does not organise any fair, neither does it invite people to any such fair- it only makes necessary supplementary arrangements for lakhs of devotees that turn up to Ayodhya on Ram Navami . We are seeking the help of religious leaders in appealing to public about staying at home and celebrating," Anuj Jha, district magistrate of Ayodhya told ET adding that "people coming to the city in religious faith cannot be asked to stay away".Jha, however, said that since April 2 is still two weeks away, any advisory regarding any fair , if needs to be issued, will be issued in due course of time. Meanwhile, the transfer of the idol of Ram Lalla to the platform inside the Ram janmbhoomi campus will take place as planned on March 25 and will witness the CM himself performing the puja."It is not an organised fair like the Kumbh or the Ganga Aarti that can be called off. When the central government has issued advisories asking people to stay indoors and has put curbs on various kinds of public travel, who is going to come to the city...," a BJP spokesperson said.