Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Aug 8: Karnataka State Pollution Control Board chairman, Dr K Sudhakar, has issued instructions to restrict height of clay Ganesha idols being worshipped on the occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi in the state to five feet, and to do away with the practice of worshipping the idols for a month or more during Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations.

He has asked officials to ensure that Ganesha Samitis which install Ganesha idols at public places have to obtain clearance of the pollution control board, police, and local administrations. Under no circumstances the idols should be allowed to continue to be worshipped for a month or more. Specific water sources where the idols can be immersed should be fixed beforehand. People should be educated about these conditions through press release, he said at a meeting of the board.

After worshipping Ganesha idols made of clay without colour during the Chaturthi, they should be immersed in the water bodies identified by local administrations. Before the immersion, things like fruits, banana trees, flowers, green festoons etc should be segregated, he directed the officials.

He also said that the colour or POP Ganesha idols which have remained within the limits of local administrations should be taken into possession after conducting verification.