Clay Ganesh Idols Distributed for Vinayaka Pooja

Kakinada: Several organisations have started distributing small idols of Lord Ganesha made of clay to devotees ahead of the Vinayaka Chaturthi on Wednesday.

Distributing around 5,000 clay idols to the devotees at Ramavaram village in Anaparthi assembly constituency, area MLA Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy called upon people to install only clay idols at their home for the Ganapathi pooja, thereby protect the environment on the immersion day.

Nagara Ganesh Utsava Samithi in Kakinada too distributed clay Ganesh idols, apart from Palavelli, decorative canopies, and Vinayaka Vratha Kalpa books to devotees. Samithi honorary president Duvvuri Subrahmanyam said that in the first phase, they are distributing the clay idols in Dalitwadas. Apartment dwellers and individual building residents will receive the idols in the second phase.

Subrahmanyam said their aim is to instil spirituality among people and patriotism within children inspired by the movement of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Samithi president Y. Malakondaiah said they are promoting Hindu festivals, in particular Vinayaka Chavithi, to prevent forced religious conversions to some extent. He charged that many houses in the city have become churches without taking any permission from the authorities concerned.

Amid this, Kakinada district superintendent of police G. Bindu Madhav has underlined that Vinayaka Chavithi pandal organisers should strictly follow instructions laid down by the police while establishing pandals. They must first form a committee and apply for permission, after taking the nod from the site owner, municipal or grama panchayat officials.

The SP underlined that loud speakers should not be used from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Slogans must not be raised on the basis of religion, castes and politics. DJ equipment and fire crackers must not be used without taking prior permission from police. He said obscene dances, liquor and other drugs are not permitted at sites where Ganesh idols are installed.