Ganesh Mahotsav to be low key affair this year

Surat: This years Ganesh Mahotsav will be a low key affair as those installing the idols will have to immerse it at their homes itself. The city police is likely to issue notification in this regard soon.
After prohibitory orders by National Green Tribunal two years ago against immersion of idols in river Tapi, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) had prepared artificial ponds for immersion.Large idols were, however, immersed in sea near Hazira and Dumas.
Surat Shaher Ganesh Utasav Samiti (SSGUS) has already started preparations to create awareness about not organising the festival that begins August 22 in a grand manner.
“We are preparing to create awareness among people and ask them not to install idols more that two-feet tall. Further, there will be no public immersion of the idols,” said Anil Biscuitwala, president of SSGUS.
SSGUS is also encouraging citizens to install clay idols that can be immersed easily at home. “Immersion of POP idol is difficult at home hence we have provided details of 71 centres on our social media pages where clay idols are available,” Biscuitwala added.
Leaders of SSGUS Swami Ambrishanandji and others have held meetings with district collector and police commissioner.
“We met the new city police commissioner Ajay Tomar today and have requested him to issue notification at the earliest so that we can start awareness among people,” he added.