Cap on idol's height, online darshan: Maharashta all set for a low-key Ganeshotsav for the second year in a row amid COVID

With the country is fearing a 'third wave', the state government on Tuesday (June 30) issued a detailed notification restricting the height of the idols to up to four feet at public events and two feet for idols at home

Mumbai: While almost one-and-a-half months is still left for the Ganeshotsav, Maharashtra government has decided that it will be a low key affair even this year, keeping the pandemic in mind.  For the second consecutive year, the Maharashtra government has decided to ban gigantic idols of Lord Ganesha and mega public celebrations for the upcoming 10-day Ganeshotsav festival starting September 10, even as the organisers cried foul. As the country is fearing a 'third wave', the state government on Tuesday (June 30) issued a detailed notification restricting the height of the idols to up to four feet at public events and two feet for idols at home. The government has also stipulated simple, unostentatious celebrations, without crowds and strictly following all COVID-19 protocols during the 10 days which mark the state's biggest public festival. No processions will be permitted for the start of the festival on September 10 or for the visarjan (immersion) ceremonies on various dates till the final adieu on September 19.