Lowkey community festivities during Ganesh Chaturthi due to COVID-19!

While most of the sarvajanik Ganpati visarjan's took place in one and a half days due to COVID-19, a few groups will have their visarjan on August 26, while a few others will continue the worship until September 1, since they've received permits by the local body. However, those who continue have kept their premises shut to public and only conduct regular pujas.

Tushar Tople from the organising committee of Chaturthi celebration at Mapusa market says, "Every year we have our celebrations last till Anant Chaturdashi, however, due to COVID-19, we decided to host the worship for only five days. We didn't get any clear guidelines from the government. We were asked to go ahead after consulting the local municipality and we got the permits for five days. If the government had to send the SOPs properly, we wouldn't have any confusion."

However, they continue to allow people by maintaining proper social distancing, and following safety precautions. "We have thermal scanners and sanitisers, and we only allow two people in at a time. People have been very understanding and supportive. A lot of people haven't visited due to the pandemic too," says Tushar.

Sadanand Narvekar from a temple committee in Calangute that's hosting the festivities until September 1 says, "We usually celebrate until Anant Chaturdashi, and will do so this year too. The guidelines we got didn't have any dates specified. We have followed all guidelines that were received. We don't have any celebrations, only worship as per traditions. We haven't allowed visitors."