Idol makers relieved after K'taka govt relaxes Chaturthi restrictions

Doddaballapura: The revised guidelines issued by the Karnataka government allowing restricted public celebrations of Ganeshotsav has brought some consolation to the Lord Ganesha idol makers.

Earlier the government had issued an order banning all public celebrations of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Celebrations inside homes and temples only were permitted.

The order had also banned all processions and instructed immersion of the idols within homes or temples and not in any public water bodies.

This was done as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19.

However, due to public resentment, the government selectively changed the guidelines on public celebrations. Now, idols not more than 4 feet in height can be installed in public places and at homes, the idols cannot be more than 2 feet high.

As soon as the order was issued idol makers got to work on creating the idols. More idols are being made in the under 2 feet category.

Shivanand, a Lord Ganesha idol maker stated that they are ready with the first stock of their 2 feet long idols as per government’s instructions. We request the government to also provide us with public places where we can sell the idols.