Ganesh Chaturthi Can Be Celebrated Without Covid Restriction In Karnataka: Revenue Minister R Ashok

Karnataka revenue minister said that no idols made up of plastic or plaster of Paris will be allowed and only mud idols will be allowed

Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashok. ( Image Source :ANI )

After two years hiatus, Ganesh Chaturthi this year can be celebrated without Covid-19 restrictions in Karnataka, said state's Revenue Minister R Ashok on Monday. The minister further said that no idols made up of plastic or plaster of Paris will be allowed and only mud idols will be allowed.

Meanwhile, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has been working on making rules for Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in Bengaluru. 

Karnataka | #GaneshChaturthi can be celebrated this year without any COVID-19 restrictions. No idols made up of plastic or plaster of Paris will be allowed; only mud idols will be allowed: State Revenue Minister R Ashok pic.twitter.com/5Bqn0YXWIB

— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2022

When asked if 'one ward, one Ganesha idol' rule has to be followed this year also BBMP Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said on Saturday that the government has been discussing about framing the rules and 'one ward, one Ganesha idol' rule could be considered.

"The rules of last year will be considered, for this purpose, the decision will be taken at the state level and BBMP shall follow the same. At this stage, no decision can be taken," He said on Saturday. BBMP has also urged people to use idols made of mud and not Plaster of Paris (PoP).

Karnataka Govt Allowed Public Celebrations In 2021

Karnataka government in 2021 allowed the public celebration on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi festival but with some conditions due to the second wave of Covid-19, which had a devastating impact on India. The state government allowed public celebrations for maximum of five days during the festival while prohibiting cultural programmes and processions.

"The government has decided to permit installation of Ganesha idols in public for a maximum of five days only in the districts where Covid test positivity is less than 2 per cent. The idols must be immersed within five days at designated ponds, but procession is not allowed while taking the idol for immersion," said revenue minister Ashok, as quoted by Times of India.