Ganesh Chaturthi 2021: Mumbai Police impose section 144 from September 10 to 19

Representative image. (Image: AP)

The Mumbai Police on September 9 imposed section 144 of the CrPC in the city from September 10 to 19. The authority also shared new guidelines for celebrations with Ganesh Chaturthi just round the corner.

"There should be no procession for the arrival of Ganesha idols. A group of maximum five persons will be allowed for arrival," the order applicable under the jurisdiction area of Mumbai Police Commissionerate read.

In the wake of a rise in the number of new coronavirus infections and fear of a third wave, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on September 8 banned physical darshan for devotees at the public Ganpati pandals and appealed to citizens to celebrate the festival with simplicity.

For bringing the idols of the deity and during their immersion, there will not be more than 10 people in the processions of public mandals and not more than five for the household Ganpatis, the BMC said in its guidelines issued.

"All devotees should wear masks and observe social distancing. Also, the 10 participants should have taken both the doses of COVID-19 vaccine and completed 15 days after taking the second dose," the guidelines said.

In addition, the cap on the height of Ganpati idols and restrictions on celebrations have been imposed for the second year in a row to curb the spread of the COVID-19.