Ganesh Puja to be allowed in Cuttack, but with riders; check details

Cuttack: In view of the Ganesh Puja on September 10 and amid the Covid pandemic, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) said the puja shall be conducted in indoor-like condition in Cuttack city.

While issuing guidelines for the puja celebration, the city municipal corporation stated no public will be allowed to participate in the puja at pandals or mandaps.

The puja will be allowed to observe the rituals and there should not be pomp, grandeur and lighting, the guideline mentioned.

Puja pandals/mandaps will be covered on three sides. The fourth side shall also be covered in a way not to allow any public view of the idols. There shall be no darshan by public/devotees, it read.

Each organization/puja committee shall apply to and obtain necessary permission from the DCP, Cuttack or any other officer authorized by him.

At educational institutions, Ganesh Puja is allowed with participation of 20 persons including priest, teacher staff and student, observing COVID appropriate behavior. There should not be separate pandals for the puja inside educational institutions.

For mandaps/pandals in non-educational institutions, there shall not be more than seven persons including organizers and priests and support staff present in the puja pandal/mandap.

The size of idol shall be less than four feet and there shall be no use of public address system.
Also, there shall be no parikrama with regard to Ganesh Puja

The persons present at puja pandals/mandap shall follow all Covid protocols of social distancing, mask use, personal hygiene and sanitation issued by the government.

There shall be no immersion procession. The idols will be immersed in artificial pond created by the CMC. Also, there shall be no religious procession of any kind of any religious community.

Musical or any other entertainment programme have not be allowed at the puja pandals/mandaps. Community feast associated with Ganesh puja has not been allowed.