Corona impact: Only 4 allowed inside Ganesh pandal

Hyderabad: Amid pandemic, this year Ganesh Chaturthi will be a low-key affair. Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi, the body which monitors and supervises Ganesh Utsav in the city, in a press meet announced that this year's Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated in a simple manner without crowds and noises. There will be no mass celebration.

Ganesh Chaturthi starts on August 22 and it will be celebrated as per the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the government.

"We are calling all Ganesh Puja organisers in the city and telling them to go for simple celebration. We are suggesting that they not think of competition in height of the idols but simply perform the puja observing social distancing,” said Dr Bhagwanth Rao, general secretary, Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi.

The Samithi also said that only four people, wearing masks, should be present in the pandals during the Aarti time. They should also sanitise their hands before touching anything in the pandal.

The Samiti also said that they were planning to decentralise the immersion process this year. "we are asking all the organisers to immerse their idols in nearby natural water bodies following the guidelines of the government and health departments. There is no need to rush to Hussain Sagar come and immerse the idols,” said Dr Bhagwanth Rao.

About the permission from the authority, the Samiti said it is our fundamental right to perform puja. ,“There is no need for any permission. We will ask the local police authorities to maintain law and order.”

The Samiti also asked the organisers to not use any music system which can draw crowds. During immersion, police urged that pandal organisers use only small vehicles and requested the devotees not to come in masses.

This year, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated from August 22 to September 1.