Culture: 10-day Ganesh fest begins amid Covid-19 restrictions
Mumbai: The 10-day Ganesh Utsav celebrations began on Friday across many Indian states amid restrictions announced by various state governments.
As one of the largest Indian festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi, on Friday, marked the birth of Lord Ganesha, known as the God of wisdom and prosperity. The festival is observed annually on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of Shukla Paksha in the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar.
This year, the festival is being predominantly celebrated in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat from September 10 to 19. Some state governments have imposed restrictions on celebrations in view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as infection numbers have started soaring again.
The Mumbai police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144, Cr.P.C., from September 10-19 to curb public celebrations and avoid the spread of the coronavirus in the megacity. Gathering of more than four persons, processions, and Ganapati pandal visits have been banned.
According to officials, only the fully vaccinated people will be permitted to volunteer at the pandals. “Any person found violating the laws will be booked under IPC section 188 (disobeying a legal public order) and other relevant laws,” a police official said.
Meanwhile, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Hindu Jagaran Vedike, and Bajrang Dal protested at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) headquarters against the restrictions imposed on Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
A circular issued by the BBMP Commissioner Gaurav Gupta read, “Ganesha festival will not be allowed for more than three days in Bengaluru city. There should not be any procession while bringing the idol or during immersion.”
He also urged the people to immerse the biodegradable idols in their homes or civic mobile tankers.
Andhra Pradesh and New Delhi have also imposed restrictions on the public celebrations of the Ganesh Chaturthi.
(Avya Mathur)
