Maharashtra Government Issues SOPs for Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi, a festival that brings out the best of Mumbai and Maharashtra. But the damaging impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on life and festivities this year. The maximum city stares at minimum celebrations. Unprecedented in living memory. The designs of Pandals and the heights of idols are all final but raw material and workers are hard to come by. The idols will mostly be made of paper this year so that only one person can lift them, thereby insuring social distancing.

 

Maharashtra Home Department has now issued SOPs for the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. Idols should not be more than 4 feet and only 10 people will be allowed in a Mandal. Home Ganpati idols have been restricted to 2 feet in height. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has appealed to Ganesh Mandal’s in Mumbai to opt for shorter idols of the city’s favourite deity and keep the Pandals smaller for this year’s celebration too.

 

The state government has requested citizens to keep the celebrations restrained. This is the second year when the pandemic has cast a shadow on the grand Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the state. People have been advised to use metal or marble Ganesh idols at home. Clay idols installed at home should be immersed at home or in nearby artificial ponds. Processions to mark the arrival and immersion of idols is prohibited. Crowds are not permitted during Aarti.

Instead of cultural programs, organizers are expected to arrange health and blood donation camps, the guidelines state. The state government has asserted that all break-the-chain rules will continue to be in force and no exemption will be provided for the festival. The guidelines state that organizers must ensure there is no crowding at Pandals and large Pandals should have the facility of online "darshan" via social media or live-streaming.