Maharashtra prohibits visits to Ganesh pandals, only online darshan allowed

Mumbai, (PTI): With Covid cases increasing, people would not be allowed to visit Ganesh pandals during the coming festival in view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Maharashtra government announced on Wednesday.

The decision was taken to ensure that there is no overcrowding. The government felt if people were allowed to visit Ganesh Pandals, it would ultimately lead to over crowding and flouting of Covid norms.

Personal visits to Ganesh Pandals has hence been banned in Maharashtra, the government said.

Only online `darshan’ or telecast from pandals would be allowed, said the state home department.

Earlier, it had said in a circular that social distancing should be followed strictly inside the pandals during the Ganesh festival.

The new circular released on Wednesday, said that “(people) are prohibited from visiting any Ganesh pandal. Organizers should instead provide the facility of online `darshan’ or telecast for the benefit of devotees, it said.

The decision has been taken to discourage people from venturing out and exposing themselves to the viral infection, said an official. (PTI)