Hindu Seva Samiti issues Durga Puja guidelines for celebrations in Dimapur

DIMAPUR — The Hindu Seva Samiti has issued guidelines for the celebration of Durga Puja in Dimapur. The Samiti requested all puja committees to conduct the celebrations in a disciplined manner and in accordance with the Hindu religious spirit while ensuring public peace, order, safety, and harmony.

The respective puja committees have been requested to perform the pujas in a wholesome religious Hindu spirit with good discipline, maintaining decorum so that religious faith is held high. Puja pandals should be erected without disturbing public thoroughfares and should use eco-friendly materials, discouraging littering and pollutants.

Committees must strictly adhere to the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000, as well as directives from the Nagaland Pollution Board. Eco-friendly idols, straw structures, and organic colours should be used while avoiding plaster of Paris (PoP), as it contains non-biodegradable chemicals.

Inside puja pandals, only devotional songs and music should be played, while drums, cymbals, and conchs, being cultural elements, are encouraged.

Diyas or oil lamps should be used instead of candles, as candles contain chemicals that spread pollution. Loudspeakers should not be used near hospitals, nursing homes, and old-age homes, and if used, must remain within permissible limits and not beyond 10 pm.

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All puja committees must ensure public peace, order, safety, and harmony throughout the celebration. Committees must maintain strict vigil to prevent and ban the use and consumption of alcohol and illegal substances. They will be responsible for security within pandals, mandirs, and puja premises, and any violations must be reported immediately to the district authority.

Suspicious items such as unclaimed bags lying around puja pandals must be reported to the police station. Idol immersion for Vijaya Dashmi will take place on October 2 at the Hindu Immersion Ghat, Purana Bazar, Dimapur. The immersion will be conducted in compliance with directions from law enforcement and municipal authorities.

There will be no procession on Vijaya Dashami this year. Tata Mobile, Bolero Pickup, and light vehicles carrying idols are to assemble at the Hindu Immersion Ghat by 9 am. Tokens for immersion will be issued on a first-come basis. All puja committees should reach the ghat with idols by 1 pm.

Idols must only be transported in Tata Mobile, Bolero Pickup, or light vehicles.

Each committee will be issued 15 cards for idol immersion inside the ghat and must take proper care of idols until immersion and cooperate with volunteers.

Committees have been directed not to bring any materials that may cause river pollution and must follow Nagaland Pollution Board guidelines to keep the Dhansari river clean. Members must sensitise their groups to avoid acts that may hurt religious sentiments and to maintain harmony and peace.

Misbehaviours, unruliness, or disobedience will not be tolerated, and any individuals disturbing harmony and peace will be strictly dealt with.

Committees must fully cooperate with the district administration, police, municipal council, council members, and Hindu Seva Samiti to ensure smooth celebrations and immersion.

No stalls or hawkers will be allowed to obstruct movement around the immersion ghat. Committees must ensure cleanliness at celebration sites and the immersion ghat, removing all non-biodegradable materials. Loudspeakers, lighting, and firecrackers will be regulated under existing rules of the government of Nagaland.

Committees must also ensure that stall owners obtain proper licences or permits from the Dimapur Municipal Council before operating, failing which penalties will be imposed. A panel of judges will visit puja pandals and mandirs starting from September 29 to assess them under different categories.

A team from the Hindu Seva Samiti will also visit each pandal for inspection and guidance during Durga Puja.

Any new guidelines from government authorities will be communicated immediately.

The tentative date for the Vijay Sammelan-cum-award ceremony is fixed for October 26 (Sunday) at Durga Mandir Auditorium, Old Daily Market, Dimapur, starting from 4 pm. If there are any changes in date, time, or venue, it will be communicated to puja committees.