One of the largest annual gatherings on Earth, the pilgrimage, or hajj, to Mecca, will be off-limits to most the world’s Muslims this year due to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

Is it that hard to pray at home?

As the world continues to grapple with COVID-19, the novel virus has forced people across the globe to observe several festivities at home.

From&nbsp;easter to ramzaan, the pandemic altered&nbsp;this year's religious calendar.

The festivals which were celebrated with joy turned sombre amid&nbsp;prayers at home to combat the Wuhan virus.

However, after six months into 2020, things are beginning to change.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-coronavirus-pandemic-saudi-arabia-to-hold-very-limited-hajj-this-year-307851" hreflang="en">Amid coronavirus pandemic, Saudi Arabia to hold 'very limited' hajj this year</a>

Places&nbsp;of worship including the nativity church in Bethlaham, Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque and India's Golden Temple have reopened.

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Saudi&nbsp;Arabia has announced it will hold a "very limited" hajj this year, with pilgrims already present&nbsp;in the kingdom allowed to perform the annual ritual.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/jagannath-rath-yatra-in-puri-begins-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-307876">Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri begins amid coronavirus pandemic</a>

The development comes as the country moves to contain&nbsp;the biggest coronavirus outbreak in the Gulf.

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia is struggling&nbsp;to contain a major spike in virus, which have now risen to more than 161,000 cases,&nbsp;the highest in the Gulf&nbsp;and over 1,300 deaths.

The move was welcomed&nbsp;by the Arab countries as well as nations worldwide.

But lost in the cheer was a critical question: is a limited hajj synonymous to a safe Hajj?

As places of worship reopen one after another,&nbsp;can we rule out the risk of Covid-19?

The hajj, a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, could be a major source of contagion, as it packs millions of pilgrims into congested religious sites.

A single coronvirus patient who attended a Sunday mass in South Korea was suffice to&nbsp;drag the country&nbsp;into the Covid-19 whirlpool.

A similar scenario can occur at any other religious place of worship.

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra or the chariot festival has begun in India. While all checks were in place on paper, the reality was quite contrary.

Social distancing norms were flouted by worshippers who seemed to be relying on God's grace for their survival.

According to a Dinanath Nayak, servitor at Jagannath Puri Temple, "now that bhagwan (god Jagannath) has come out on the streets to watch the woes of his subjects, he will cure the world. The chariot procession will definitely happen."

Similar sentiments were echoed in Indonesia in mid-April. When the world was respecting a modified ramzan, worshippers in the aceh&nbsp;province wanted to pray together.&nbsp;Today, Indonesia has nearly 50,000 cases.

Even god helps those who help themselves. Is it too hard to stay at home and pray at home, for one odd year? 
&nbsp;

As the world continues to grapple with COVID-19, the novel virus has forced people across the globe to observe several festivities at home. From easter to ramzaan, the pandemic altered this year's religious calendar.

As the world continues to grapple with COVID-19, the novel virus has forced people across the globe to observe several festivities at home. From easter to ramzaan, the pandemic altered this year's religious calendar. The festivals which were celebrated with joy turned sombre amid prayers at home to combat the Wuhan virus. However, after six months into 2020, things are beginning to change. Also read: Amid coronavirus pandemic, Saudi Arabia to hold 'very limited' hajj this year Places of worship including the nativity church in Bethlaham, Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque and India's Golden Temple have reopened. × Saudi Arabia has announced it will hold a "very limited" hajj this year, with pilgrims already present in the kingdom allowed to perform the annual ritual. Also see: Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri begins amid coronavirus pandemic The development comes as the country moves to contain the biggest coronavirus outbreak in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia is struggling to contain a major spike in virus, which have now risen to more than 161,000 cases, the highest in the Gulf and over 1,300 deaths. The move was welcomed by the Arab countries as well as nations worldwide. But lost in the cheer was a critical question: is a limited hajj synonymous to a safe Hajj? As places of worship reopen one after another, can we rule out the risk of Covid-19? The hajj, a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, could be a major source of contagion, as it packs millions of pilgrims into congested religious sites. A single coronvirus patient who attended a Sunday mass in South Korea was suffice to drag the country into the Covid-19 whirlpool. A similar scenario can occur at any other religious place of worship. Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra or the chariot festival has begun in India. While all checks were in place on paper, the reality was quite contrary. Social distancing norms were flouted by worshippers who seemed to be relying on God's grace for their survival. According to a Dinanath Nayak, servitor at Jagannath Puri Temple, "now that bhagwan (god Jagannath) has come out on the streets to watch the woes of his subjects, he will cure the world. The chariot procession will definitely happen." Similar sentiments were echoed in Indonesia in mid-April. When the world was respecting a modified ramzan, worshippers in the aceh province wanted to pray together. Today, Indonesia has nearly 50,000 cases. Even god helps those who help themselves. Is it too hard to stay at home and pray at home, for one odd year?

How religious places of worship can become breeding grounds of COVID-19

The apex court had on June 18 said that in the interest of public health and safety of citizens, this year's Puri Rath Yatra cannot be allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

India: Puri Rath Yatra gets green signal from Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India today stays Jagannath yatra to avoid further spreading of Coronavirus amongst masses. The decision is taken under public interest. Moreover CJI SA Bobde says that 'If we allow Puri Yatra this year then lord jagannath will never forgive us'

India: Top Court halts Jagannath yatra to avoid spreading of COVID-19

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Is it that hard to pray at home?

How religious places of worship can become breeding grounds of COVID-19

India: Puri Rath Yatra gets green signal from Supreme Court

India: Top Court halts Jagannath yatra to avoid spreading of COVID-19