BMC Restricts Gathering For Home Installation Of 'Ganesh Idol' In New Directives For Upcoming Ganpati Festival

The Mumbai civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued new directives for the upcoming Ganpati festival which will allow only 5 persons to participate in the immersion of idols this year.

Representative photo- (PTI Photo)

Mumbai: Only 5 persons will be allowed to participate in the immersion rituals of Ganesh idols during the Ganpati festival next month according to a new order by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The Ganpati festival which is scheduled for August 22 this year usually sees large gatherings of people participating in different rituals. The step has been taken to curb the spread of the virus in the state which has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country. The BMC has asked people to not indulge in any activity that may involve too many people and become a health hazard such as carrying out a procession from home. The report says that the civic agency has warned that actions that will attract action under the Epidemic Act 1897, the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the Indian Penal Code. Some of the suggestions made by the BMC include

• Following safety norms for Covid 19 such as using a face mask, shield, hand sanitizers and following social distancing norms
• Using eco-friendly idols and immersing it only at home or in artificial lakes
• Avoiding processions of domestic idols from housing societies etc
• Keeping children and elderly away from immersion sites

The state which has so far recorded a total of 3,47,502 has also canceled the  "Lalbaugcha Raja celebrations", the biggest draw of Mumbai's 11-day Ganesh festival. This has happened for the first time in 87 years. Mumbai's Lalbaughcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal said that a blood and plasma donation camp will be set up in its place.