PUNE: The 10-day Ganeshotsav beginning Friday is set to be a low-key affair in the city with the civic body advising the Ganesh mandals to arrange online darshan and live streaming for citizens and strictly avoid gatherings and processions.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has told the Ganesh mandals and citizens to follow the state government’s latest guidelines of no physical darshan for the devotees. It has also banned roadside stalls that attract crowds and warned of action if there is a gathering of people.
“We have instructed the ward offices to manage the infrastructure for the Ganapati festival. Large assembly of people should be avoided and the festival should be observed in a low-key manner,” said Madhav Jagtap, head of the PMC’s anti-encroachment department. He said 75 teams of the PMC would monitor the activities during the festival.
Mayor Muralidhar Mohol has appealed to the citizens to prefer immersion of idols at homes. “The nirmalya collection will take place at the ward level. About 200 tonnes of ammonium bicarbonate have been made available for immersion at homes,” he said.
Ajit Deshmukh, head of the PMC’s solid waste management department, said, “Citizens will have the facility of mobile immersion vans at their doorstep,” he said.
Responding to the PMC’s appeal, all major Ganesh mandals have decided to provide online darshan facilities and requested the citizens to offer prayers at homes. “There will be no gatherings, people are appealed to remain at home and offer online prayers. Even the workers of our mandal are told not to gather at the pendal and the temple. We will install the idol, but without a procession. There will be live streaming of the celebrations,” said Shrikant Shete of Shree Kasba Ganapati mandal.
Pravin Pardeshi of Guruji Talim mandal said, “We will provide round-the-clock online darshan facility for devotees. There is no plan of any processions.”
Vivek Khatavkar of Shree Tulshibaug mandal said, “We will reach out to the devotees though the online platform. We will provide information about the mandal’s 121-year journey.”
The Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganapati Mandal has planned an online cultural programme for the second year in a row. “The mandal has a website through which citizens will be able to offer prayers and also watch the programme”, said office bearers.
The Akhil Mandai Mandal is planning to hold a vaccination drive during the 10-day long festival.
