No procession allowed in Bengaluru en route to idol immersion
BENGALURU:
Keeping in mind the religious sensitivities involved, BBMP on Wednesday banned all animal slaughter and sale of meat in the Bengaluru city limits on September 10, which marks Ganesh Chaturthi.
Earlier on Tuesday, the civic agency passed orders restricting Ganesh pooja celebrations in public to 3 days from September 10, in contrast to the Karnataka government’s permission to allow 5 days of festivities in districts where the test positivity rate is less than two percent.
“The festival will not be allowed for more than three days in Bengaluru city. There should not be any procession while carrying the idol or during immersion,” BBMP Chief Commissioner said.
Limit to idols’ height
Gupta noted that idols made of Plaster of Paris are banned and the height of idols has been capped. “Idols installed at homes should be immersed at home or in our mobile tank. Ganeshas installed at public places should be not more than 4 feet high and should be immersed in mobile tanks. No idols can be immersed in lakes,” the civic chief said.
Sunday’s guidelines by the state government prohibit cultural events and processions prior to the immersions and also prohibit distribution of food and ‘prasad’. No more than 20 persons can be present at a pandal or immersion. With the statewide night curfew in place, no celebrations will be allowed after 9 pm, according to the government order.
