Sarvajanik Ganesh idols can’t be taller than 4 feet: Maharashtra govt

The Ganpati festival was a subdued affair last year owing to the pandemic. File pic

Like last year, the height of idols installed by sarvajanik Ganpati mandals will not exceed four feet, say the guidelines issued by the state government on Tuesday. Covid-19 appropriate restrictions will apply to these public mandals. The Ganesh festival begins on September 10.

The idols at home cannot be taller than two feet, and an appeal has been made to make use of metal, marble/stone or mud idols. Processions have been banned and the government wants people to perform immersions at home, if possible, or use artificial ponds, created specifically for the purpose.

The pandal size will be specified by civic and other local authorities. No sarvajanik mandal can install the idol and celebrate the festival without permission from local bodies.

Organisers have been advised to avoid showing-off in the matter of decorations at public pandals and inside homes, because "we are expected to celebrate the festival with simplicity this year", says the notification issued by the Home Department.

To avoid crowding, the mandals should make arrangements for online darshan through social media and cable networks, and ensure limited number of people for aarti and bhajan. For the people visiting the mandaps, there should be proper sanitisation and thermal screening facilities.

The organisers must ensure that devotees maintain physical distancing at the venue.

Mandals have been asked not to market the festival to attract crowds and instead use it to raise awareness of health and social wellbeing.

The mandals have also been asked to organise health and blood donation camps and promote Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. The guidelines say mandals should accept only voluntary donations.

The government said it will come out with new norms or revise the existing ones before the festival begins.

10 Sept
Day Ganeshotsav begins this year