The Karnataka government allowed Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations for a maximum of five days starting September 10 in districts with a Covid positive rate of less than 2%, but cultural events and immersion processions were prohibited during this time. According to a new ordinance, the celebrations and immersion of the Ganesha statue will be limited to a maximum of 20 people. Furthermore, no celebrations will be permitted after 9 p.m.
The authorities have stated that no parade will be permitted during the celebrations. For celebrations, only eco-friendly Ganesha idols should be used, and food and prasad distribution are prohibited. In districts with a positivity rate of more than 2%, no Ganesh Chaturthi function will be held. In urban areas, only one public pandal is allowed per municipal ward, while in rural regions, the local authorities will decide how many idols can be placed. A pandal can only be 50x50ft in size. Organizers must be vaccinated and have a negative RT-PCR result.
The Covid procedure, which includes masking and distance, must be followed. The government has requested that local governments run vaccination drives for organizers at the pandal location. The government has set the maximum height of idols at 2 feet (at home) and 4 feet (in public) (pandals). At schools and universities, no idol installation or celebration is permitted. While only specified tanks or ponds should be used to submerge the idols,
On Saturday, the Karnataka cabinet said that state Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai would convene a conference to discuss easing Covid-imposed restrictions on the Ganesha celebration. Several organizations and political leaders, especially from the BJP and those with Sangh Parivar ties, have been pressuring the state government to relax the festival’s restrictions. The government had previously forbidden public celebrations of the event, citing Covid-19, and stated that people could celebrate in their homes.
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