Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police (CP), Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, has issued detailed guidelines to ensure the smooth and peaceful observance of Ganesh Puja 2026 in the capital city and surrounding areas.
As per the new rules imposed by CP, DJs are completely banned. Only traditional music and slow-sound microphones will be permitted. Crackers are strictly prohibited during processions. Melody and cultural programmes will be allowed only up to 10:00 pm. Idol immersion has been fixed for three specific dates — September 16, 18 and 20, 2026. Processions must avoid peak traffic hours from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, as well as national highways.
Immersion will take place only at designated temporary ponds. These include Lingipur on the Daya river under BMC, Palasuni, Hanspal and Basuaghai on the Kuakhia river, KIST Canal in Jatni, a temporary pit near Nalanda Institute of Technology at Chandaka, and a temporary pond on the Kusabhadra river under Balianta police station. A separate immersion procession has been proposed for the Jatni police station jurisdiction on September 26, 2026.
So far, 340 applications have been received for observing the festival. Authorities expect Ganesh Puja to be held at around 420 medhas, including 380 within Bhubaneswar city limits and 40 under Jatni PS jurisdiction.
To maintain security, law and order and ensure an incident-free celebration, elaborate police arrangements have been put in place at the puja venues, along the procession routes and at the designated immersion ghats. The deployment includes four Additional DCsP, 10 ACPs, 32 Inspectors, 100 SI/ASIs, 20 Women Constables, 30 platoons of force and one ODRAF team. Police have appealed to organisers and devotees to strictly follow the guidelines for a peaceful and orderly Ganesh Puja.
