People get into festive mood by welcoming Lord Ganesha into their homes
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Goa reverberated to the sound of drums and cymbals as thousands of small, large and larger than life colourfully decorated idols of Lord Ganesha were installed in homes and Sarvajanik Ganesh pandals across Goa at the start of the Ganeshotsav festival Monday.
Thousands of devotees joined in bhajans and aartis chanting ‘Sukh-karta dukh-harta’, while welcoming the Lord of Wisdom and good beginnings into their homes, on part of his annual sojourn. People also thronged Ganesha temples, where special prayers were conducted.
Houses across the state wore a festive look. Police stations including those in the capital too are celebrating the festival with Sarvajinik Ganesh.
Though there is no specific security threat, Goa police are not taking any chances and have made arrangements to prevent any untoward incidents. The Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav organizers have been directed to take adequate security measures by installing CCTV cameras, hiring volunteers, frisking suspicious visitors and belongings at their respective venues. Police patrolling too has been intensified and day-night patrolling has been introduced in a bid to deter crime.
Citizens have been advised to be vigilant and co-operate with law enforcing agencies. They have been also requested to take precautionary steps to protect their belongings at home and at business places while they are away during Chaturthi.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has requested devotees not to immerse Ganesh idols made of plaster of Paris (PoP) into water bodies to avoid pollution. Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha said the PoP idols had made their presence last year and he hopes there is no repeat this year.
“Last year we had confiscated 25 PoP idols. The samples were tested and these were found to be containing 30 percent PoP. Not all clay idols were of pure clay,” he said urging people to avoid PoP even in small quantity.
The Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Police department and other agencies are designated authorities to keep a check on the PoP idols.
