Ganesha Chaturthi: Karnataka Bans Public Processions And Cultural Events, But Permits Pandal Installation

In a bid to keep the third wave of Covid-19 at bay, the Karnataka government issued a revised set of guidelines banning all cultural events in the coming festive season.

While the government has allowed installation of pandals in public places and observance of rituals for the Ganesha Chaturthi festival that starts on 10 September, it has banned all public processions and cultural programmes in such venues.

It has also limited the number of devotees gathering at such venues at one time to a maximum of 20. All organisers are required to check for either vaccination or Covid-negative reports for all devotees participating in the celebrations.

These guidelines issued yesterday (5 August) have also limited the number of days of public celebrations to a maximum of five with permission from local authorities.

Mobile tanks or artificial immersion tankers are to be installed as per directions of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and organisers will have to ensure immersions in these setups without taking out a procession of the idols installed, it was reported.

The guidelines prescribe simple conduct of the festivals, adhering to Covid protocols. Maintaining social distancing and mandatory use of masks in public spaces are chiefly among them.

The size of the idols to be used in public pandals is restricted to not higher than 4 feet, while those within homes have to be within 2 feet. Organisers are also required to ensure regular sanitisation of premises as well as thermal scanning of devotees visiting the pandals.