Ganesh idols should not be more than four feet tall: Maha CM

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister  Uddhav Thackeray said on Friday, June 26 that Ganesh mandals should not install idols with a height of more than four feet in the coming Ganesh festival.

Thackeray had earlier appealed Ganesh sandals, groups that celebrate the festival in public to keep the celebrations low-key this year in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ganesh festival is set to begin from August 22. Tall Ganesh idols are especially popular in Mumbai.

In a statement here, Thackeray said faith and devotion are more important than the height of idol.

Coronavirus pandemic has affected culture and traditions too, he said.

“To avoid crowds, all places of worship have been shut. We need to avoid crowds that gather to see huge Ganesh idols in Mumbai and Pune. I have spoken to Ganesh mandals and they are unanimous about maintaining discipline and social responsibility,” Thackeray said.

Ganesh idols of mandals should not be more than four feet tall as bigger idols need more volunteers, the chief minister said.

The Dahi-handi (Janmashtami) celebrations in August have been canceled and Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik, who organizes Dahi Handi in a big way, has instead donated Rs one crore for the coronavirus relief fund, Thackeray noted.