CUTTACK: As the millennium city readies to plunge into the festive season beginning with Ganesh Puja, the police administration has issued strict guidelines to ensure smooth conduct of the celebrations.
The Ganesh Puja would be observed on September 1 and all idols would be immersed in three phases by September 25. Most of the idols would be immersed by September 10 while the traditional puja mandaps which have the custom of immersing their deities on ‘Ananta Brata’ and ‘Dwitiya Osa’ days would do so on September 18 and 25 respectively.
The Commissionerate police have also clamped strict restrictions on the use of loudspeakers during the pujas. The sound limits should be adhered to the stipulated 65 decibel. No use of loudspeaker or sound system would be allowed after 10 pm while all melodies and other entertainment programmes would also be packed up by 10 pm. The mandaps would be kept under check to prevent any violation, police sources said.
The restrictions also apply to the immersion ceremony wherein bands would not be allowed to exceed the 65 decibel sound limit. Bands without sound limiters have been banned. The entire immersion ceremony should also culminate before 10 pm.
According to estimates, there would be more than 1,000 mandaps and places where the Ganesh Puja would be held. Over the years, there has been a tremendous spurt in Ganesh Puja celebrations as makeshift mandaps continue to sprout across the lanes and bylanes of the city. As it is primarily observed by the youth, more stress is being given to maintenance of law and order and streamlining of the celebrations.
“A meeting chaired by Commissioner BK Sharma and attended by representatives of the puja committees, Shanti Committee, clubs and puja organisers have been apprised of the rules and regulations for the ensuing festival. While requesting all to observe the Puja in the right spirit, it has been conveyed that violations would attract action as per law,” DCP Praveen Kumar said.