Maharashtra government issues guidelines for upcoming Ganeshotsav, restricts heights of Ganesh idols

On Tuesday, the government of Maharashtra announced guidelines for the upcoming 11-day festival of Ganeshotsav which starts on 10th September. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the height of Ganesh idols for public celebrations all across Maharashtra has been restricted to four feet and the height of household Ganesh idols cannot be above two feet.

The notification issued by the Home Department has asked people to use marble or metal idols during the festival. If shadow clay idols are kept, then the visarjan (immersion) should done either at home or an artificial pond. Children and senior citizens are advised to not attend the immersion site for their own safety.

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The guidelines have also urged public organizers to make all possible arrangements to provide online Ganpati darshan as well as puja and aarti through cables, websites or social networks. As per the notification issued, instead of organizing cultural programs, awareness should be brought by conducting health-related activities and camps. All processions have been already prohibited, either for the arrival of Ganpati or for the visarjan ceremonies.

For public Ganeshotsav, the mandals will have to attain proper permission from local administrations. In the Ganpati Mandap, sufficient arrangements should be made for disinfection and thermal screening. They should accept the donations they receive from the citizens.

The notification added that restrictions imposed under ‘Break the Chain’ will continue to exist and no relaxation will take place for the festival.