BHOPAL: Though public opinion is divided on whether the state government should have allowed public observance of Ganesh festival, organisers of Ganesh festival suggest that there is no need to worry as they would themselves ensure that the Covid guidelines are followed in the pandals and would also utilise the occasion to give people the message to vaccinate themselves for protection from corona and work for a “clean and green Bhopal’’.
Deepak Goyal of Sarafa Chowk Sri Ganesh Utsav Samiti, where the Lord Ganesh installed during Ganesh festival are revered as “Bhopal Ke Raja”, said “We are committed to observe Covid-19 guidelines. The pandal will be small according to specifications given by the administration — 30x45 feet. Since distribution of “prasad” after puja leads to crowding in the pandal, we have decided not to distribute “prasad” during this Ganesh festival.” “The idols could have been a little bigger but guidelines came late.
We had ordered idols with a thought that we might have to install them in the dharmashala again, where we had installed idols during Ganesh festival last year after public festivities were not allowed on the occasion of Ganesh festival.
Goyal said that usually Ganesh idols are installed at 60 to 70 sites in Bhopal but this year, the number may be less.
Ajay Devnani of New Market Vyapari Mahasangh Sri Ganesh Utsav Samiti said that unlike the previous years, the pandal and tableaux would be simple and open to allow people to have darshan of the Lord straight away. “Earlier, Lord Ganesh would be installed in a temple or a cave and people would queue up to have a darshan of the Lord but not this year.
The idol is 5 feet tall and made of clay. After the prayer (Arti) plants will be distributed to devouts so as to motivate them to work for “clean and green Bhopal”. Messages calling upon people to vaccinate themselves for protection from Coronavirus would also be there at the site of Ganesh festival.
The organisers also hope to organise vaccination camps during one day of the festival with the help of the district administration. Masks will also be kept in the pandal for distribution and there will also be a provision of a sanitiser bottle/machine in the pandal,” said Devnani.
Arun Nema of Sriram Ganesh Utsav Samiti Ibrahimpura said that celebration would mainly be limited to “puja path” and Covid-19 guidelines will be followed in letter & spirit. Prasad will be given in small packets to devotees as and when they come to avoid crowding.
