Ganesh Puja: Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation says no to public participation

BHUBANESWAR: Issuing guidelines for the Ganesh Puja in the city, to be held on September 10, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) had refused public participation during the celebrations.
As per the guidelines, congregations during the festival will not be allowed within the BMC jurisdiction. The organisers will have to follow Covid-19 norms, such as social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitisation, while conducting the Puja in mandaps. The organisers will also need to take permission from the officer concerned, authorised by the Commissioner of Police, in this regard.
“Pujas can be conducted indoor without any public participation, pomp or grandeur,” said the BMC guidelines. Mandaps will be covered on three sides with one side open for entry and exit of priests and organisers,” said the BMC.
The civic body has instructed that idols should not be more than four feet and public address system will not be used during the Puja or any other time during the festival.
“At no point in time, more than seven people, including priests/organisers/support staff, will be allowed inside mandaps. People need to follow Covid-appropriate behaviours inside the mandaps. Fully vaccinated people will be allowed at the Puja,” the guidelines added.
No immersion procession will be held this year. The Puja organisers have been asked to immerse the idols in artificial ponds to be created by the BMC, said the guidelines.
The civic body said, for Puja at educational institutions and coaching centres, maximum of 20 people will be allowed. Those allowed must maintain social distancing in the Puja room/space, the guidelines said. Feast or prasad sevan will not be allowed, it added.
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