Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday urged citizens to launch a strong movement against coronavirus and said he prayed to Lord Ganesh to destroy all “evil and negativity” as the 10-day festival dedicated to the deity began amid the pandemic and looming threat of a third wave.
People welcomed Lord Ganesh in their homes and pandals in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra without pomp and gaiety and with focus on online ‘darshan’ to avoid gathering as the state government has made it clear it does not want to take any chance in view of an uptick in cases, especially in the metropolis.
For the second straight year, the pandemic cast a long shadow on Ganesh Chaturthi festivities with the Maharashtra government placing a slew of restrictions to avoid gathering and processions. Urging citizens to strictly follow coronavirus norms, the CM said people’s health was more important than any festival.
‘We need to work towards eradicating the pandemic permanently by behaving as responsible citizens. In the last two years, we have been forced to impose restrictions in celebrations.”People’s lives and health are more important than any festival. I am confident Lord Ganesh, who is called Vighnaharta (one who removes all hurdles) will destroy the evil virus,” he said.
Thackeray asked citizens to use the festival to launch a movement to get rid of coronavirus by staying alert and following all norms.”Just like Lokmanya Tilak used the Ganeshotav to inspire people to fight the British, all mandals and organisations should use the festival to create awareness about virus and ensure it is permanently destroyed,” Thackeray said.
He was speaking after performing the customary puja at his official residence ‘Varsha’ in south Mumbai, where he welcomed Lord Ganesh. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP reiterated his demand for reopening places of worship, saying livelihood of people associated with them was severely impacted.
The festival, the most popular and awaited religious event in Maharashtra, begins on Ganesh Chaturthi and ends on Anant Chaturdashi 10 days later with immersion of idols.
The Maharashtra government has banned physical ‘darshan’ of Lord Ganesh at community pandals (marquees) and said only online ‘darshan’ or telecast from pandals would be allowed. Citing the COVID-19 situation, the Mumbai police have imposed orders under CrPC section 144 prohibiting assembly of five or more persons during the Ganesh festival between September 10 to 19.
No processions of any kind would be allowed in Mumbai during this period and devotees would not be allowed to visit Ganesh pandals either, an official statement said on Thursday. People can have `darshan’ of Ganesh idols installed in pandals through the online mode or through other electronic media (such as TV), it said.
The Maharashtra home department has issued a circular banning visits to pandals so as to prevent the spread of the viral infection. Also, the height Lord Ganesh idols to be installed has been restricted.
In Mumbai, there are around 12,000 sarvajanik (community) mandals and nearly two lakh homes where idols of the deity are installed. The usual pomp was missing since processions have been banned. Lord Ganesh made a quiet entry into the homes of his devotees.
Naresh Dahibavkar, president, Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, told.
Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Assembly Elections Live Updates here.
Comments
0 comment