‘Ganpati Bappa Morya!’: President Kovind, PM Modi greet people on Ganesh Chaturthi

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi festival on Saturday.

“Ganpati Bappa Morya!Greetings on Ganesh Chaturthi. The festival is an expression of people’s enthusiasm, joy and forbearance in taking every section of the society along,” President Kovind said in his tweet.

“May Vighnaharta help us all to overcome COVID-19 pandemic and bless us with a happy and healthy life,” he added.

PM Modi also took to Twitter to wish people. “Greetings on the auspicious festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. May the blessings of Bhagwan Shri Ganesh always be upon us. May there be joy and prosperity all over,” he said.

Ganesh Puja is one of the biggest festivals of Maharashtra, however, the coronavirus pandemic has confined people to their homes this year.

The state government has urged people to avoid crowding and issued guidelines to be followed by mandals regarding installation of Ganesh idols.

“The Ganeshotsav is to be celebrated in a simple manner this year, so there should be no pomp in the decorations by sarvajanik mandals or individuals installing idols in homes,” Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said in a statement.

The state government has also urged people to worship Ganesh idol made of metals, marbles or other elements instead of installing conventional ones made by clay in order to avoid crowding during immersion procession.

“If the idols installed are made of clay or are eco- friendly, then those should be immersed at home itself,” the statement said.