THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ganesha idols are now ready for the Ganeshotsav to be celebrated in the city from August 27 to September.
Governor Sheila Dikshit inaugurated the ‘eye-opening’ ceremony of the idols on Friday at the idol workshop in Manjalikulam ground.
The eye-opening rituals were performed by Brahmasri Mitran Namboothiripad. Ganeshotsav Trust Committee is in- charge of the celebrations.
Trust chairman Subramaniam Kumar, Municipal Council Opposition leader Johnson Joseph and Councillor Vijayakumar were among the others who attended the function.
The procession and immersion of idols will be performed on September 4.
Ganeshotsav: PCB Issues Guidelines
State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has issued a set of guidelines related to Ganeshotsav.
The board has requested to follow the guidelines. The guidelines issued are:
* The idols should be preferably made of clay.
* Idols made of materials which are harmful to nature, water sources or water bodies should not be used.
* Clothes draped on the idol as well as flowers, leaves, jewellery and other articles used to decorate the idol should be removed before it is immersed in water.
The decorative articles should be disposed off without causing pollution in water bodies.
* The paint on the idol should not be toxic in nature. Natural harmless colours should be used.
* The size of the idols should be as small as possible.
* The idols should not be immersed in wells, ponds, rivers and other freshwater resources. Specific places have to be chosen for immersing the idols.
* Plastic cups, bottles and other articles used during the festival should not be strewn all over roads and streets.
* Fireworks used during the festival should not cause noise or air pollution.
* Loudspeakers must not be used between 10 pm and 6 am.