By Staff Reporter
Mumbai: There will be restrictions on height of Sree Ganesha idols from the viewpoint of ecology. The Ganeshotsava committees that do not adhere to the restrictions imposed by the Municipal Corporation will not get any facilities from the Municipal Corporation. Further, the idols will be made from clay as far as possible. (Immersion of Sree Ganesha idols does not cause any kind of pollution as per the opinion of ecologists. However, when the height of the idol is less and if it is made up from clay, worshipper gets more benefit as per spiritutal science. – Editor) The clay can be re-used. (As per the science, idol of Sree Ganehsa has to be immersed. In case, the clay is going to be re-used, it would be against the science and will amount to treachery with Dharma – Editor). Sree Ganesha idols for individual worshipping would be made from eco-friendly (Cheap and appropriate from the viewpoint of ecology) material and awareness will be created aming Ganesh devotees towards using the same. The above information was given by Dr. (Mrs.) Shubha Raul while talking to media. (Idols made from any material and any size from ecological standpoint as also to save money will not attract Sree Ganesha principle thus devotee would not get any benefit from such worship. By advocating use of such eco-friendly Sree Ganesha idols, Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) is, in a way, being disloyal to Dharma – Editor).
Public Ganeshotsava Committees like Lalbaug and other old committees would be granted persmission to have idols of 14 -15 feet; but other Ganesha committees would be permitted to have idols of about 8-9 feet. Decision will be taken regarding height of the idol in a meeting in which Municipal Commissioner will also be invited.
Idols worshipped by individual families should be immersed in artificial water tanks near their house to avoid crowd at chowpatty. In every ward, no. of artificial water tanks will have to be increased, said the Mayor. (As per the science, immersion of Sree Ganesha idols has to be done in flowing water. Immersion of idols in artificial water tanks is not the solution to avoid crowd at chowpatty; for this, priority should be given to proper planning and the malpractrices and misbehaviour should be totally stopped – Editor).
MMC spends about Rs. 6 crores on immersion of idols every year. The expenses are increasing per year. (For the very reason, it is necessary to impart ‘Dharma- shikshan’ to people as it would curb malpractices in religious festivals. Then the expenditure would automatically reduce. Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti have undertaken a drive on a large scale to educate people – Editor). The mayor also advised that use of plaster of paris and thermacoal for decorations is detrimental to ecology.
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