CMC Issues Guidelines for Ganesh Puja Celebrations: Here’s Details

Cuttack: The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) today issued guidelines for celebrations of Ganesh Puja in the city.

Here are the details:

1. For conducting Puja in Puja Pandals/Mandaps, each organization/Puja Committee shall apply to and obtain necessary permission from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cuttack or any other officer authorised by him.
2. Puja(s) shall be conducted in indoor-like condition only for observance of rituals without public participation, pomp & grandeur. There shall be no Lighting at pandal.
3. For educational institutions Ganesh Puja is allowed with participation of 20 nos including Priest, Teacher staff & Student at any point of time, observing COVID appropriate behaviour with no separate pandals for the Puja inside educational institutions..
4. For Mandaps/Pandals in non educational institutions, there shall not be more than 7 persons at any point of time including organisers (Kartas) and priests & support staff present in the Puja Pandal/Mandap.
5. Puja Pandals/Mandaps shall be covered on three sides. The 4m side shall also be covered in a may not to allow any public view of the idols. There shall be no darshan by public/devotees.
6. The size of idol shall be less than 4 feet.
7. There shall be no use of public address system.
8. There shall be no parikrama with regard to Ganesh puja.
9. The persons present at Puja Pandal/ Mandap shall follow all COVID protocols of social distancing, mask use, personal hygiene and sanitation issued by Central/State Government/Local Administration in letter and spirit.
10. There shall be no immersion procession. The idols will be immersed in artificial pond(s) created by the CMC, Detailed guidelines regarding site & schedule of immersion will be communicated in consultation with DCP, Cuttack
11. There shall be no religious procession of any kind of any religious community.
12. There shall be no musical or any other entertainment programme.
13. Community feast associated with Ganesh puja is not allowed.
14. The organizers and other persons involved in conducting the Puja shall abide by any other condition(s) as imposed by Cuttack Municipal Corporation.