Gujarat government has issued guidelines for Janmashtami and Ganesh Utsav celebrations, announcing certain relaxations from coronavirus-induced restrictions. State government announced relaxation in night curfew time in eight cities for Janmashtami and Ganesh festival. The cities are Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Surat, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Gandhinagar and Junagadh.<br />''<br />'' The decision was taken after a meeting of the state's core committee on the COVID-19 pandemic situation chaired by chief minister Vijay Rupani.<br />''<br />'' On the occasion of Janmashtami, night curfew will be implemented from 1 am on August 30 in eight major cities of the state instead of the usual 11 pm.<br />''<br />'' State government also said that not more than 200 visitors will be allowed at temple premises and traditional Janmashtami processions will be allowed with a limited number of participants on August 30.<br />''<br />'' For Ganesh Utsav celebrations, night curfew will be in force from 12 midnight during September 9 to 19.<br />''<br />'' A four-feet Ganesha statue can be installed in public pandals while two-feet tall idols will be allowed in houses.<br />''<br />'' It further said that only 'aarti' and distribution of prasad will be allowed at pandals and no other religious or cultural programs will be permitted.<br />''<br />'' Social distancing norms will have to be followed both at Janmashtami and Ganesh celebration venues, and devotees will have to move in circles for darshan to ensure a distance of two feet with the total number of participants at any given moment not exceeding 200.<br />''<br />'' On immersion days, not more than 15 people will be allowed in a vehicle carrying idols to water bodies, said the release.<br />