Taking cognisance of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maharashtra government, on Thursday, 9 September, said that devotees would not be permitted to visit pandals during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.
The Delhi, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments have also issued specific guidelines to celebrate the festival.
This year, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations will begin from 10 September. It is an 11-day festival.
So, what are the new guidelines in Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu? Here's everything you need to know.
Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, public will not be allowed to worship to visit pandals.
The order issued by the state's home ministry stated that the pandal organisers should instead provide the facility of online darshan or live telecast of the pandals for the benefit of the devotees, news agency PTI reported.
Previously, the Maharashtra government had said that devotees will be allowed to visit pandals while following strict social distancing. But the government backtracked after surge in the number of cases.
What are the guidelines issued by the state government for pandals?
The state government released the guidelines for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the last week of June.
The guidelines are as follows:
The maximum height of the idol can be up to four feet and for the installations of mandals, one has to take permission from the local authority.
The guidelines also mentioned that people should prefer worshipping marble, metal, or clay idols and should try to immerse them in artificial ponds, if possible.
Processions will not be allowed on the first and the last day; last day is the immersion day of the festival.
The organisers have also been asked to install health and blood donation camps rather than cultural programmes.
Karnataka
The Karnataka government, in a set of guidelines on Sunday, 5 September, allowed Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations but with conditions.
No immersion of idol will be allowed post 9 pm.
Cultural programmes are completely banned.
While pandals can be erected, the government will release the number of people who will be allowed at a given time.
Not more than one pandal can be erected in each ward.
Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu government has extended the lockdown restrictions till 6 am, 15 September.
The COVID-19 protocols to be followed are:
Devotees are allowed to leave their idols near temples.
People cannot gather in a crowd in churches on 8 September – Mother Mary's birthday.
People should worship or limit the celebrations to their homes. Permission for the immersion of the idols in the nearby waterbodies will be given to individuals but a procession is not allowed.
Delhi
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations will not be allowed in public places and people will be allowed to celebrate in their homes only.
No idol of Lord Ganesha shall be set up in tents or pandals or public places.
No permission shall be granted to any processions to celebrate the festival.
No crowds will be allowed to gather at any religious or social places.
District magistrates and district deputy commissioners of police shall hold meetings with religious and community leaders and Ganesh Chaturthi samitis to ensure cooperation and maintain law and order situation.
(With Inputs from The Indian Express and The Times of India.)
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