Ganeshotsav in Mumbai to be a low-key affair once again

Volunteers immerse a Ganesh idol in an artificial pond in Lalbaug last year. File pic

Just like last year, Ganeshotsav in the city will not be celebrated with great fanfare this time too, in view of the impending threat of the third wave of the pandemic. While the big mandals are making arrangements as per the government's COVID protocols, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials said that the smaller ones were a bigger concern and they would have to check upon them to ensure that rules are followed.

While earlier there used to be mad rush across the city right from the time of booking idols till visarjan, no big events have been organised this time as the government has restricted the height of idols to four feet.

Some mandals in the city have decided to not keep clay or PoP idols and instead worship those made of silver. In the pre-COVID times, the big mandals in the city used to keep a tall idol for visitors and a smaller one for the rituals, but with the height restrictions imposed this time, most of them have decided to keep only one and conduct online darshan as well.

Swapnil Parab from Lalbaug Utsav Samiti (Ganesh Gully), said, "Earlier we used to have two idols, but this time we will keep only one, and will also have online darshan. As some of the local residents visit the pandal, we will ensure there is no crowding at the premises. No one will be allowed to go close to the idol."

Praneel Panchal of Chinchpoklicha Chintamani Ganeshotsav Mandal, said, "Just like last year, we will worship a silver Ganesh idol this time and not go for a PoP one. The festival will be celebrated according to the norms of the government."

Sudhir Salvi of Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, said, "As last year we did not celebrate the festival, this time we will. We have already started low-key preparations. However, we are still waiting to know from the government whether to allow physical darshan or keep it online."

Speaking about the smaller mandals, a BMC official said, "We have already communicated our concerns to the respective ward offices to ensure there is no crowding at small and local mandals."