Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court on Thursday made it clear that the decision to allow community celebration of Ganesh Puja in Odisha rests on the local authorities.
Hearing a PIL filed by Budha Ganesh Puja Committee of Cuttack, the State's apex court pronounced that the festival can be celebrated in the community only with the permission of the local administration.
President of Budha Ganesh Puja Committee, Shivendra Hata had recently filed a plea in the High Court urging for permission to all Puja Pandals in the twin cities to hold Ganesh Puja which marks the beginning of the festive season in the State.
It should be noted that the Commissionerate Police has barred all the puja pandals and committees under its jurisdiction from holding the puja in the wake of the COVID pandemic. There is however no restriction on individuals or families celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi within the confines of their homes.
Apart from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, restrictions have been imposed on holding the puja in community-level in Khordha, Jajpur, Gajapati, and several other districts.
Odisha government while issuing its Unlock 3 guidelines in the first week of August, had also said that temples and religious places along with any forms of gatherings associated with them will not be allowed for public till August 31.
Meanwhile, with just a day before the puja, idol makers have expressed worry over losing out the opportunity to make some profits due to slump in demand of the idols following restrictions.
From the Twin Cities to Rourkela and from Jajpur to Berhampur, the shops selling idols which usually get flooded with customers are witnessing deserted looks.
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COVID-19 Casts Shadow Over Ganesh Puja In Odisha Districts
COVID-19: No Community Celebration Of Ganesh Puja In Bhubaneswar, Cuttack