Artist colors an idol of Ganesha prepared for sale for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival | Photo credit: AP
Highlights
- “Ganesha idols should be submerged within five days of their installation,” Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka said.
- In Goa, citizens are recommended to submerge idols between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
- Maharashtra government announced toll and road tax exemption for private vehicles traveling to Konkan
New Delhi: The government of Karnataka has allowed its people to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi for five days from September 10 in districts where the COVID-19 test positivity rate is less than 2%.
Cultural events and processions are however prohibited in the pooja pandal or during the immersion of the idol.
“Ganesha idols should be immersed within five days of their installation and there should be no procession during their immersion,” Revenue Minister R Ashoka said.
As stated in the government decree, the event must be simple and less than 20 people must be present.
In addition, the organizers must not only be fully vaccinated, but also bear a negative test result for COVID-19.
Maharashtra
The government of Maharashtra on Monday announced a lifting of tolls and road taxes for private vehicles traveling to Konkan. Eknath Shinde, the Minister of State Works (Public Works), made the announcement during a meeting discussing the facilities to be provided to people visiting the Konkan area for the festival which begins on September 10.
“Every precaution is taken to ensure that those traveling to Konkan for the festival do not encounter any difficulties. Toll exemption stickers will be made available to vehicles traveling to Konkan for the festival,” said Shinde.
In addition, Shinde also called on authorities to repair potholes along all highways and roads leading to Konkan within the next two days.
Goa
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Goa government has banned firecrackers and processions before Ganesh Chaturthi.
The “Chitrashallas” are required to organize social distancing outside each point of sale, in accordance with an official communication.
In addition, the sale and purchase of Plaster of Paris idols is strictly prohibited.
In Chitrashalla, two people with one vehicle would be allowed to collect the idols.
“No special booth will be erected anywhere in Panaji for the sale of fireworks / firecrackers except those authorized by the company,” the official government notice said.
In addition, the guidelines state that no fireworks should be used at the disposal site. The point of immersion must be clear of vehicles so that there is no congestion. It is recommended that citizens immerse idols between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. In addition, idols should not be carried in procession to the immersion points. After the immersion, there will be no gathering.
