Panels not surprised over SDMA guidelines for Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav

 Team Herald

PANJIM: The guidelines issued by State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) for Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav have not come as a surprise to the committees. Restrictions in view of COVID-19 pandemic were expected that also included reducing the size of Ganesh idols. 

The guidelines, which indicate toning down of celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi amid pandemic were released late Sunday night. 

With no pandals, this year all the idols in public marquees would be of a manageable average height of 3-4 feet only. In Panjim, where a huge pandal opposite Panjim Church Square attracts huge number of devotees every year, will not host the mega event this year.

Amid speculations that height of Ganesh idols would be reduced, the organisers in Panjim and Porvorim who had already transported huge idols from Kolhapur around two months ago; have replaced it with 3.5 feet idols. 

Trustee of Panjikar Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Gangaram Morajkar confirmed that they have already replaced the huge Ganesh idol with a 3.5 feet idol. 

“Since the decorative big idols are not made in Goa, we annually bring the idols form the neighbouring district. This year too, we had brought the huge idol about two months back,” he said. 

Since surge in COVID-19 cases is threatening day-to-day life in the country, restrictions in holding the event including size of the idols were anticipated by the committees. Mandal’s president Ashok Patil said they replaced the big idol with a 3.5 feet idol around a month back. “The huge Ganesh idols brought for Panjim and Porvorim Sarvajanik Utsav will now be used for celebration next year. This year will be a low-key celebration. In Panjim, we have decided to not set up a pandal and instead install the idol in a tempo,” he revealed. 

No visitor will be allowed and only the priest will carry out the religious proceedings. Instead of nine days, this year, the mandal has decided to immerse the idol during one-and-half day celebration. 

Ahead of the annual festival, the Panjim Mayor Uday Madkaikar has called for a meeting with stakeholders and authorities to chalk out plans, on Friday.  

At Porvorim, the Neelkanth Brahmeshwar Ganpati Utsav Samiti will also follow similar plan, Patil said. The idol will be installed in the office with same restrictions.