bhaskarlive

Hindu Munnani plans Ganesh idol installations at 1.5 lakh locations across Tamil Nadu

Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 9 (IANS) Hindu Munnani is making extensive arrangements to install and worship Ganesh idols at 1.5 lakh locations across Tamil Nadu as part of the forthcoming Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations, according to senior functionaries of the organisation. The planned installations will cover cities, towns and villages, giving the festival a wide reach across the State. District-level organisers have been instructed to coordinate the celebrations carefully and ensure that both the worship programmes and idol immersion processions are conducted in an orderly manner. Leaders of the organisation said detailed guidance had been issued to local units on managing the immersion processions without causing inconvenience to the public. The instructions are intended to help organisers regulate gatherings, coordinate the movement of processions and ensure that regular traffic and public activity face minimal disruption during the festivities. Environmental protection will also be a major consideration in this years celebrations. Hindu Munnani has asked its organisers to avoid idols made with chemicals or other materials that could pollute waterbodies. Steps are being taken to encourage the installation and worship of idols manufactured entirely from natural and environmentally-safe materials. Chennai is expected to witness celebrations on a particularly large scale, with Ganesh idols proposed to be installed at 5,501 locations across the city. Preparations for making giant idols are progressing rapidly at Ernavur in north Chennai, where artisans and organisers are working ahead of the festival. Among the prominent areas in the city where idols will be installed under the organisations supervision are Valluvar Kottam, Triplicane, north Chennai and Kottivakkam. These locations are expected to serve as important centres of worship and related festival activities. The organisation has also begun a special 10-day religious observance ahead of Vinayaka Chaturthi. Functionaries said the period would be used to prepare devotees and volunteers for the celebrations while finalising arrangements at the local and district levels. Organisers are expected to work with the authorities while planning installations and immersion routes. The focus, Hindu Munnani leaders said, would remain on celebrating the festival with devotion, public cooperation and environmental responsibility. Preparations will continue across Tamil Nadu as local units identify venues and complete arrangements for worship and immersion ceremonies. Volunteers will also be deployed at major venues to assist devotees and support the smooth conduct of public events statewide.