MUMBAI: There will be no 20-25 feet tall idols during Ganeshotsav this year. Mandals have agreed to a state government request to limit the height of moortis given the threat of drawing crowds amid Covid-19.
Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had appealed to Ganpati mandals to scale down festivities. The state said mandals could reduce the height to three feet, but at a meeting chaired by Thackeray with prominent city mandals, they sought a limit of five feet.
"Moortikars had decided to make small idols this year. All mandals at the meeting said they will agree to what the CM decides, which is likely in two days," said Sewree MLA Ajay Chaudhary (Shiv Sena). Few in Lalbaug have crafted small clay idols averaging three feet, instead of regular 22-foot plaster of paris idols.
The state had contemplated allowing mandals like Lalbaugcha Raja and GSB King's Circle to have large idols as they are puja moortis, but this could open the doors to litigation. Lalbaugcha Raja averages 16 feet, while Ganesh Gully is 22 feet. Some in Khetwadi and Girgaum reach 26-28 feet.
Swapnil Parab, secretary of Mumbaicha Raja Mandal of Ganesh Gully, Lalbaug, said, "Our moorti averages 22 feet, but understanding coronavirus, we will agree to the government decision. We are waiting to see if visarjan will be permitted at Chowpatty, or we will have to build artificial tanks." They are also waiting to see if devotees can come for darshan, or it will be limited to TV and online. Visarjan spots like Girgaum and Dadar Chowpatty were discussed but officials said immersions may be allowed in eco-friendly tanks created by BMC, with limited people per idol.
R G Bhat, trustee of GSB King's Circle mandal, who coordinated the meeting, said, "The government permitted us to organise the festival in August. By Monday, Thackeray will decide on the height of idols."
Naresh Dahibavkar of Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, which did not attend the meeting, said they have been recommending self-regulation of height since March-April.
Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had appealed to Ganpati mandals to scale down festivities. The state said mandals could reduce the height to three feet, but at a meeting chaired by Thackeray with prominent city mandals, they sought a limit of five feet.
"Moortikars had decided to make small idols this year. All mandals at the meeting said they will agree to what the CM decides, which is likely in two days," said Sewree MLA Ajay Chaudhary (Shiv Sena). Few in Lalbaug have crafted small clay idols averaging three feet, instead of regular 22-foot plaster of paris idols.
The state had contemplated allowing mandals like Lalbaugcha Raja and GSB King's Circle to have large idols as they are puja moortis, but this could open the doors to litigation. Lalbaugcha Raja averages 16 feet, while Ganesh Gully is 22 feet. Some in Khetwadi and Girgaum reach 26-28 feet.
Swapnil Parab, secretary of Mumbaicha Raja Mandal of Ganesh Gully, Lalbaug, said, "Our moorti averages 22 feet, but understanding coronavirus, we will agree to the government decision. We are waiting to see if visarjan will be permitted at Chowpatty, or we will have to build artificial tanks." They are also waiting to see if devotees can come for darshan, or it will be limited to TV and online. Visarjan spots like Girgaum and Dadar Chowpatty were discussed but officials said immersions may be allowed in eco-friendly tanks created by BMC, with limited people per idol.
R G Bhat, trustee of GSB King's Circle mandal, who coordinated the meeting, said, "The government permitted us to organise the festival in August. By Monday, Thackeray will decide on the height of idols."
Naresh Dahibavkar of Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, which did not attend the meeting, said they have been recommending self-regulation of height since March-April.
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