Thanjavur, August 22, 2013: The District Collector, K.Baskaran, has appealed to the people of the district to use only earthen Vinayaga idols for poojas during the Vinayagar Chathurthi festival that falls on September 9. In a press release issued here on Wednesday, the Collector said that Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has prohibited the use of baked idols that are painted with chemical colours. People in Thanjavur district can immerse the idols in Vadavar and Grand Anicut Canal. People in Thiruvaiyaru, Papanasam, Swami Malai, and Kumbakonam can immerse it in Cauvery. People of Thiruvidaimaruthur and Aduthurai can do so in Veeracholan River and for Pattukottai and Peravunrani the immersing point is sea. Those who immerse the idols in sea should take the idols half a km into the sea .

Karur: District Collector S.Jayandhi has requested the people of the district not to immerse painted idols in ponds, lakes and other smaller water bodies. Police and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board have identified safe spots along the rives Cauvery and Amaravathy for immersing the idols after poojas and the spots include Thavuttupalayam, Vangal, Nerur, Mayanur, Kulithalai, Aravakurichi and Rajapuram, Ms.Jayandhi has said.

Source: The Hindu, August 22, 2013