Bhubaneswar, Sept. 8 (UDN): The Commissionerate Police has issued a set of guidelines for the peaceful conduct of Ganesh Puja 2026 in Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas, placing restrictions on DJs, firecrackers, processions and immersion activities.
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Under the new guidelines, DJ music has been completely prohibited during the celebrations. Organisers will be allowed to use only traditional musical instruments and microphones operating at controlled sound levels.
The police have also imposed a complete ban on firecrackers during processions. Melody and cultural programmes at puja venues will be permitted only until 10 pm.
Idol immersion on three designated dates
The Commissionerate Police has fixed September 16, 18 and 20 as the designated dates for idol immersion.
Organisers have been directed to avoid processions during peak traffic periods, particularly between 9 am and 11 am and 5:30 pm and 8 pm. Processions have also been advised to stay away from national highways to minimise disruption to vehicular movement.
Idol immersion will be allowed only at designated temporary ponds and immersion points.
These include Lingipur on the Daya river under BMC, Palasuni, Hanspal and Basuaghai on the Kuakhia river, KIST Canal in Jatni, a temporary pond near Nalanda Institute of Technology at Chandaka, and a temporary pond on the Kusabhadra river under Balianta police station.
A separate immersion procession has also been proposed for areas under Jatni police station jurisdiction on September 26.
Around 420 puja venues expected
Police said 340 applications have so far been received for permission to organise Ganesh Puja this year.
Authorities expect celebrations at around 420 medhas, including approximately 380 within Bhubaneswar city limits and another 40 under Jatni police station jurisdiction.
Elaborate security arrangements
The Commissionerate Police has made extensive security arrangements at puja venues, along procession routes and around designated immersion locations to maintain law and order and prevent untoward incidents.
The deployment includes four Additional DCPs, 10 ACPs, 32 Inspectors, 100 SIs/ASIs, 20 women constables, 30 platoons of police force and one ODRAF team.
Police have urged puja committees, organisers and devotees to strictly adhere to the guidelines, particularly those relating to sound levels, processions, traffic movement and idol immersion.
The authorities said cooperation from organisers and the public will be crucial to ensuring that Ganesh Puja celebrations remain peaceful, orderly and safe across Bhubaneswar and surrounding areas.