Ganesha idols made of PoP are flourishing in Belagavi market
Belagavi : Preparations for Ganeshotsav have gathered momentum across Belagavi district, with artisans giving final touches to idols ahead of the festival beginning on Sept 14. With over 500 Ganesh mandals under the Belagavi Police Commissionerate limits, ensuring security and smooth traffic movement remains a major challenge. To ease congestion, police commissioner Prakash Nikam has permitted the arrival of larger idols and related processions between Sept 10 and 12. There are more than 3,500 public Ganeshotsav mandals in the district, including 500 under the commissionerate limits. Over 1,000 applications seeking permission for celebrations have been received, according to police officials. This year, the police department has capped the maximum height of idols at 18 feet. He added that rowdy sheeters above 60 years of age and those not involved in any criminal activity for the past 10 years have been recommended for removal from the list.
Preparations are gathering pace across the district. No new mandals have been granted permission this year. Belagavi has a long tradition of welcoming Ganesha idols in grand processions, with mandals often spending lakhs of rupees on celebrations. Bringing all idols along the same routes on a single day creates severe traffic congestion. To address this, the city police have allowed the arrival of Ganesha idols a few days in advance. Several mandals have already brought tall idols to their respective pandals. As in previous years, action is likely against the use of DJs during the festivities. A final decision will be taken after discussions with officials and office-bearers of the Ganesh Mahamandal.
City police commissioner Prakash Amrit Nikam, who conducted a parade of rowdy sheeters on Saturday, said necessary instructions had been issued to them in view of the festivities.