Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, festival of Lord Ganesh would be a low key affair this year in Khairatabad, Telangana.
For the first time in 66 years, Khairatab Ganesh idol would not be taller than the previous year’s idol.
In 2019,Khairatabad Ganesh idol was a record 66-feet in height, tallest in India.
The Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Samithi is famous for organising Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Telangana.
The 10 days festivities of Khairatabad Ganesh Chaturthi witnesses massive foot fall of devotees, nearly 40 lakh people in 10 days.
However, due to the Novel Coronavirus, the organisers of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities proposed to scale down the height to 27 feet only. In addition, this year instead of plaster of paris, the organisers decided to make a 27 feet tall clay idol.
The celebrations would also be a low key affair this year with limited devotees and gatherings of less people. No devotees from other areas would be allowed for a personal visit during the 10 day festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.
However, devotees from other areas could book for online puja and have darshan at their homes.
The idol immersion on the 11th day, which usually witnesses a procession involving lakhs of people moving towards the Hussainsagar lake, would also be minimal celebrations with limited people.
Singari Sudarshan Mudiraj, the Chairman of the Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Samithi, said, “We have decided to install a Ganesh idol themed around God Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of medicine and an avatar of Lord Mahavishnu. There are many firsts this year. The idol will be of clay and organic colours. We won’t have a procession on the 11th day. The devotees will have to be satisfied with darshan from home via online. They could book their ‘puja’ via the official website. Only committee members will be present for the spot immersion.
The theme was decided to be around the COVID-19 situation and prayers are also involved for the fast recovery from the pandemic crisis.
However, rules and guidelines for this year’s celebrations is yet to be announced.
This year Ganesh Chaturthi is on the 22nd of August.
Stay tuned for further updates.
