Mumbai imposes curbs on major religious festival amid COVID spike

India’s financial hub introduces new safety measures and restrictions for Ganesh Chaturthi amid rise in COVID cases.

India’s financial hub Mumbai has introduced new safety measures and restrictions for its biggest Hindu festival amid a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. Police barred public processions and restricted crowds for the 11-day festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrating the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha, that started on Friday. Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations normally see massive crowds across the city, where towering idols of Ganesha are placed in marquees, locally referred to as “pandals”, accompanied by song and dance performances.