Chennai: The Chaturthi Vinayaka Festival is likely to be a low key event this year also because of a pandemic.
In an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19 due to crowding, the state government on Monday decided to stop people from installing Vinayaka idols in public places and carrying them in procession for soaking throughout the state.
It also extended locking restrictions until 6 am on September 15.
Vinayaka Chaturthi on September 10 and other places for Mrs.
Mary’s birthday celebration on September 8.
In a statement, the government said that restrictions were imposed after increasing Covid infection after clustering during bakrides and Onam in Kerala.
The government also said that universities and school authorities must ensure that students from Kerala have received two doses of anti-covid vaccines and producing negative RT-PCR reports as a class will begin.
The statement said that people must limit Chaturthi celebrations to homes and their permits will be given to individuals to immerse their idols only in the nearest waterbodies.
“This permission is only for individuals and not for associations or groups,” said the statement.
Idols will not be allowed to set at sea at Marina Beach from Santhome to Napier Bridge in Chennai.
Individuals are allowed to leave their idols near temples in several regions.
The right steps will be taken by the HR & CE department to delete it.
Permissions will not be provided for religious procession, festivals and sports such as ‘uriyadi’ in public places.
The government also urges people to maintain social distance, use masks and follow precautions because they shop for festivals.
It is common for religious associations, occupants, youth groups and traders to install Vinayaka idols with various sizes and themes in the street corner and bring them in a big process for soaking later.
Hindu Munnani has planned to install 1,25 lakh vinayaka idols throughout the state for the festival.
In accordance with locking norms, the government has expanded restrictions on places and religious festivals and they will continue as before on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.