The Madras High Court has permitted the immersion of Ganesh idols by individuals in water bodies in view of the Vinayaga Chaturthi festival. <br />''<br />''However, the court has said public festivities including big processions should be avoided due to the prevailing pandemic situation. Hearing a petition seeking  permission, the court said Ganesh Chaturthi is an important festival and the public sentiment should be respected.<br />''<br />''Earlier, during the hearing, the state government said only public installation of the Ganesha idols and their immersion by going as a procession has been banned by the state government. Advocate General Vijaya Narayanan said there is no ban against individuals installing the statuettes in their home and immersing them.<br />''<span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' The state government said in a statement on the 13th of this month and reiterated yesterday that public festivities could not be allowed this year due to the pandemic. The organizations that demanded the permission from the court assured that there would not be any public processions associated with the festival.</span><br />