With just a day to go for Ganesh Chaturthi, Mumbai is preparing for the
last-minute arrival of their beloved elephant god. Ganeshotsav will be
celebrated under the shadow of the COVID-19 for the second time this year, but
that does nothing to calm the spirits.

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The markets are full of buyers looking
for the last knick knacks, and pandal organizers are adding the final touch to
the beautiful public markets that will not see the usual mile line due to the
COVID-19 strict restrictions between the threat of a third wave.

The number
of mandals (public market planners) seeking approval this year is higher than
last year, still very low compared to the years before COVID-19. In its new
edition of Ganeshotsav guidelines, BMC has banned offline darshan, visarjan
visitors, giving them greater freedom by letting them advertise to make money
which they was not last year. Also, well-known orders have been allowed to
immerse Ganpati statues at seafronts.

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Only 10 volunteers will be allowed to go
with the immersion idol. In coastal areas, the idol will be provided to
volunteers from BMC and NGO who will then immerse the idol at sea. Only
authorized volunteers will be allowed in marine areas, not those devotees
according to BMC guidelines.

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“We are
happy that the BMC has accepted our demand of letting us immerse idols in the
sea,” said Naresh Dahibhakar, president of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik
Ganeshotsav Samavay Samiti.

 “The
pandemic has cast a pall over the celebrations,” says a volunteer who plays an
active role in organising the festival at the Samaj Mandir Hall in Mumbai. “The
Ganesh festival is the biggest religious-cultural and social event in
Maharashtra and the state sees so many international tourists who come to
witness the celebrations.”

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As soon as
the Ganeshtotsav festival  will begin on
September 10, the mandals will have to follow the strict SOPs issued by the
municipal body. IBMC also released guidelines for volunteers and for
devotees who celebrates at home