Mumbai, Sept 10: Ganesh Chaturthi festival began on Friday with great fervour in Maharashtra. Like previous year, this year celebrations will have to be low-key on account of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Maharashtra government has imposed several restrictions to avoid festival-related gatherings and processions over the next ten days. Government order dated June 29 had allowed for physical darshan with social distancing but a new order released on September 8 only allows for darshan via online or electronic medium.

In Mumbai, there are around 12,000 sarvajanik (community) mandals and nearly two lakh homes where idols of Lord Ganesh are installed.

With the imposition of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the assembly of five or more persons is prohibited in Mumbai for ten days. No processions of any kind are allowed during this period.

Ganesh Chaturthi Rituals

Ganesh Chaturthi is regarded as an important festival in the region of Maharashtra and is celebrated for seven to ten days when the entire state is decorated with lights. In Mumbai, on the first day of the festival, the Pooja starts with the idol being kept over a pedestal that symbolizes a throne. This is followed by a priest performing the rituals and Puja dedicated to the idol. Then, he dips the idol in holy water. Modak, a sweet made of sweetened coconut and rice flour, is then offered to the deity along with incense and flowers. For the rest of the days, the idol is worshipped with Ganesh Stuti and devotional songs in the evening and morning. People install idols of Lord Ganesh in their houses as well.