Nagaland
Hindu Seva Samiti issues guidelines for Durga Puja celebrations
DIMAPUR — The Hindu Seva Samiti, while extending greetings and best wishes to everyone for the celebration of Durga Puja in Dimapur, issued a list of guidelines on Monday for the puja committee members.
These include using eco-friendly materials, discouraging the use of loudspeakers near hospitals, and restricting the use of firecrackers, among others.
The complete list of guidelines is as follows:
Puja committees are requested to conduct the rituals in a disciplined manner, upholding the religious spirit and decorum.
Puja pandals should be erected without disrupting public thoroughfares, using eco-friendly materials and discouraging littering and pollution.
Puja committees must strictly follow the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules 2000, as well as guidelines from the Nagaland Pollution Board. They should use eco-friendly idols and straw structures for idols and pandals, avoiding plaster of Paris (PoP) due to its non-biodegradable chemicals, and ensure the use of natural materials and organic colours to minimise environmental impact.
Only devotional songs and music should be played in the puja pandals, while the use of drums, cymbals, and conchs is encouraged as part of cultural tradition.
Puja committees are requested to use only diyas (oil lamps) in their pandals and mandirs, as they are eco-friendly, and to avoid candles, which are made from chemicals and contribute to pollution.
The use of loudspeakers in puja pandals near hospitals, nursing homes, and old-age homes is discouraged. Any use of loudspeakers should remain within permissible limits and is allowed until 10 pm.
All puja committees should ensure that public peace and tranquility are maintained in the area.
Puja committees must enforce a strict ban on the use and consumption of alcohol and illegal substances. They are responsible for security within the mandir/puja premises. Any individual or group violating this should be promptly reported to the district authority.
Any unclaimed or suspicious items in and around the puja pandals must be reported immediately to the police station to prevent any untoward incidents.
Idol immersion for Vijaya Dashami will take place on October 13 at the Hindu Immersion Ghat, Purana Bazar, Dimapur.
There will be no procession on Vijaya Dashami this year. All Tata mobile, Bolero pickup, and light vehicles carrying idols must assemble at the Hindu Immersion Ghat by 9 am, where tokens for immersion will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
On October 13, Vijaya Dashami, all puja committees must ensure that the free flow of traffic is not disrupted while proceeding to the immersion ghat.
All puja committees must transport idols for immersion using only Tata mobile, Bolero pickup, and light vehicles along the designated route to the Hindu Immersion Ghat, Purana Bazar, Dimapur.
The following routes are permitted for the immersion of idols at the Hindu Immersion Ghat, Purana Bazar, Dimapur, from 8 am to 12 noon:
Kalibari Road/GS Road via MP Road, flyover, Super Market, Walford, Veterinary Police Point to New Dhansari Bridge (immersion ghat).
Midland/Dhobinalla via Holy Cross Junction, Clock Tower, Khermahal Police Point, Deluxe Point, flyover, Super Market, Walford, Veterinary Police Point to New Dhansari Bridge (immersion ghat).
Each puja committee will be issued 15 cards for idol immersion, granting access to the ghat. Committees are requested to take proper care of their idols until immersion and cooperate with the volunteers.
All puja committees are requested to avoid using materials that may cause river pollution and to adhere strictly to the guidelines issued by the Nagaland Pollution Board to keep the Dhansari river clean.
All puja committee members are to educate their members to avoid actions that may hurt religious sentiments and to maintain harmony and peace.
Any misbehaviour, unruliness, or disturbance of harmony and peace will not be tolerated and will be dealt with strictly.
All puja committees are requested to fully cooperate with the district administration, police, municipal council, council members, and Hindu Seva Samiti to ensure the smooth and joyful conduct of the pujas and immersion.
The use of firecrackers is not permitted.