Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: Subdued Ganeshotsav Celebrations Amid COVID-19

Mumbai:

Amid the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions on public motion, the 10-day Ganesh pageant or Ganeshotsav (Ganesh Chaturthi) began in Mumbai and different components of Maharashtra at this time, though the same old pomp and glory was lacking this 12 months.

The Maharashtra authorities has issued tips concerning Ganeshotsav celebrations, saying that processions shouldn’t be taken out earlier than putting in and immersing the idols of the deity.

It additionally mentioned that the heights of Lord Ganesh idols put in by sarvajanik (neighborhood) mandals and at household-level ought to be restricted to 4 ft and two ft, respectively, this 12 months.

Because of this, the variety of folks popping out out there to purchase Ganpati idols for set up of their homes, housing societies and sarvajanik pandals, was restricted. The same old spirit and fervour of the pageant was comparatively low this 12 months.

Because of the subdued celebrations, small companies of that thrive in the course of the pageant, like flower distributors, candy retailers, shops promoting ornament objects, immitation jewelry, transporters took a success. The pandemic additionally affected a number of others, together with artistes and transporters.

Nevertheless, in some standard market locations like Dadar in central Mumbai, folks nonetheless got here out in massive numbers to buy materials required for adornment, puja rituals within the final couple of days. Morning aarti (prayers) had been carried out in temples and pandals throughout Maharashtra.

#WATCH Maharashtra: Morning ‘aarti’ and prayers being supplied at Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir in Pune on #GaneshChaturthi, at this time. pic.twitter.com/G8VyOZm0IY

– ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2020

Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbai’s best-known sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandal, cancelled the pageant this 12 months in view of the pandemic, whereas Wadala’s GSB Sewa Samiti, thought of one of many richest mandals within the metropolis, postponed the celebration to ‘‘Magh Shudh Chaturthi” in February subsequent 12 months.

The same old pandal decorations within the metropolis are lacking this 12 months and cultural occasions have been changed by public consciousness programmes and well being camps by the mandals.

Mumbai and the neighbouring areas have been witnessing heavy rains since the previous couple of days. The downpour continued on Saturday morning, however folks stepped out to convey residence the idols of the deity amid chants “Ganpati bappa moraya”. In some areas firecrackers had been additionally burst to welcome the Lord.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray additionally welcomed Lord Ganesh at his official residence “Varsha“. Some celebrities and political leaders additionally put in the idols at their locations.

The set up of the deity was finished as per the rituals within the morning.

In the meantime, safety has been tightened within the metropolis for the pageant. Aside from the native police, an organization of Fast Motion Pressure (RAF), three firms of State Reserve Police Pressure (SRPF), native arms and riot management police have been deployed.

Fast response groups, bomb disposal squads and anti-terrorism cells have additionally been placed on alert to stop untoward incidents and police will monitor the happenings within the metropolis with the assistance of 5,000 CCTV cameras and in addition use drones for aerial surveillance, a police official mentioned.

The pageant of Ganesh Chaturthi is also called Vinayaka Chaturthi, marks the beginning of Lord Ganesh. It begins on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada, the sixth month of the Hindu calendar. It concludes after 10 days on the day of Anant Chaturdashi, when the idol is submerged within the nearest physique of water.

Lord Ganesh is taken into account an embodiment of knowledge and extensively revered because the remover of obstacles.
 

(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)