The fervour and gaiety associated with the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Hyderabad will be missing this year, thanks to the prevailing conditions due to coronavirus pandemic.
The Telangana government on Monday announced that no permission would be given for installing Ganesh Mandaps in every street corner this year, as the public celebrations of the festivities are being banned.
Minister for animal husbandry T Srinivasa Yadav appealed to the devotees and youth welfare associations to set up Ganesh idols at their homes only and extend their cooperation in containing the spread of virus.
Yadav held a meeting with Ganesh Utsav Samithis, police department and officials from various departments on the measures to be taken for smooth conduct of Ganesh festivities in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic. The festivities are to commence from August 22.
Yadav said that given the pandemic, the government is ensuring the Ganesh festivities are conducted smoothly with strict adherence to Covid guidelines.
The Minister instructed the Endowments department to perform all the pujas and ceremonies in all the Ganesh temples under its limits as per traditions during the 11-day festivities.
The recent Bonalu festivities were low key, Yadav said while urging the devotees to hold Vinayak Chaturthi festivities too at their homes.
“Next year, the State government will organise both Bonalu and Ganesh festivities on a grand note,” he said. Ganesh Utsav Samithi representatives gave their suggestions and assured their cooperation to the government.
Thanking the Utsav Samithi representatives for their cooperation, Yadav said one more meeting would be held again, if required.
The Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi has already announced that there will be no centralised immersion procession this year in the city.
