Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Sep 10: The festival of Ganesh Chathurthi is being celebrated with devotion and joy on Friday September 10. The celebrations however are modest given the restrictions amid coronavirus outbreak.

Ganesh idols are installed at 157 places in the city. All Covid guidelines will be followed strictly as per the information given by police.

Security is tightened in the city in the wake of Ganesh Chaturthi and Ganeshotsava. Three DCPs, five ACPs, 24 PIs, 62 PSIs, 1,222 ASIs, personnel, six battalions of CAR and five battalions of KSRP are deputed on duty in order to maintain law and order.

Public is instructed to follow Covid guidelines issued by government, district administration, police, Mangaluru City Corporation and local organizations while celebrating the festival. A press release from the office of police commissioner of the city said that 90% of Ganesh idols will be immersed on the first day itself.

There is no scope for procession, music, cultural or entertainment programmes. Organizers should mandatorily have Covid-19 negative report and certificate of vaccination. Devotees who arrive to take Darshan of the idol should wear a face mask and maintain social distance compulsorily. The statement of the police also informs the public to install the idol in such a way so as not to disturb public and vehicular movement.