TN govt issues guidelines for Ganesh Chaturthi; says small temples to be open, state to immerse idols
According to the DMK administration, worshippers may place Ganesha statues outside small temples. The State will be in charge of immersing idols in bodies of water.
FollowFollowing widespread outrage and Opposition pressure, the Tamil Nadu government announced that small temples might be open on Chaturthi on Monday. According to the DMK administration, worshippers may place Ganesha statues outside small temples. The State will be in charge of immersing idols in bodies of water. HMK, a Hindu organisation, had petitioned the court for SOPs for Vinayaka Chaturthi.
Due to the Covid-19 epidemic, Tamil Nadu declared the closing of public beaches on Sunday and an extension of the prohibition on places of worship on weekends and the staging of religious festivities. With the government's decision to outlaw religious celebrations, Ganesh Chaturthi, which falls on September 10, was supposed to be a low-key occasion, similar to the previous year. While individuals are permitted to immerse Ganesh idols in oceans, processions are not allowed.
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According to the official statement, beaches will be closed on Sundays for the benefit of the public and to prevent the spread of the virus, while the restriction on visiting places of worship on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays will remain in effect. The decision to prohibit people from entering beaches on Sundays was made in response to images of large crowds that went popular on social media, with individuals not complying with any Covid-19 procedures, creating a more significant danger of virus infection.
Meanwhile, the government has instructed district administrations to take "necessary actions" based on the virus's presence in their areas. According to the government announcement, there has been no change in its prior decision to open schools for grades nine through twelve and colleges on September 1, which was based on the opinions of medical experts and academicians. According to the statement, schools and college hostels administered by the government and commercial entities, as well as 'working men and women hostels,' are permitted to function, with the management of the hostels responsible for ensuring that the staff is vaccinated.
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In light of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Kerala, the government has directed that institutions ensure that students entering from neighbouring states are vaccinated and have negative RT-PCR data. The Tamil Nadu government has already instructed officials in areas bordering Kerala to allow only individuals who have been vaccinated and have a negative RT-PCR report to enter the State.
