Mumbai, Jun 29 : The Maharashtra government on Tuesday ordered a ban on mega public celebrations and gigantic idols of the Lord Ganesha for upcoming 10-day Ganeshotsav festival, due to begin on September 10.

This is the second consecutive year when such restrictions are imposed.

In anticipation of Covid-19 ‘third wave, the state issued a detailed notification restricting the height up to four feet for idols at public marquees and two feet for the home idols.

The government has also stipulated simple, unostentatious celebrations, without crowds and strictly adhering to all Covid-19 protocols during the 10-day festivity.

According to notification signed by Sanjay D Khedekar, deputy secretary, Home Department, no procession will be permitted for the start of the festival from Sep 10 or the ‘visarjan’ (immersion) ceremonies on various dates till the final adieu on Sep 19, sounding a dampener on the much-awaited fest.

Instead of the usual cultural or entertainment programmes, the government has recommended giving priority to health camps or blood donation drives or health awareness campaigns for coronavirus, malaria, dengue, etc, with highest levels of cleanliness maintained by all the public mandals and organisers of the mega-Ganeshotsav groups.

Depending on the levels of restrictions that may be in force during the festival, the authorities have made it clear that these will not be eased during Ganeshotsav and directed the public mandals to ensure there is no overcrowding during the daily ‘aartis’, ‘poojas’, ‘darshan’.

The government has further suggested that the public mandals switch over to online ‘darshan’ or relay the celebrations in the marquees through the local cable television networks, websites, or social media platforms, added the notification.(UNI)