Small idols, artificial ponds: How COVID-19 changed Ganpati Visarjan

BMC staff carry Ganesh idols foru00c2u00a0immersion atu00c2u00a0 Gateway of India | Photo- ASHISH RAJE

Song, dance, colors, emotions, community-feels and electrifying energy, these are what describes a typical Ganesh Visarjan. This year, however, both grief and glee are different. On the one hand, devotees are happy to have hosted Ganpati in their homes even amid an on-going crisis, on the other, not being able say goodbye to him in the usual manner has pained many of them.

However, still trying to keep up with the essence of the event, Mumbaikars decided to go green and take this opportunity to serve the environment. From making environment-friendly Ganesh idols to immersing them in pools or tubs in their backyard, the celebration may have gone mute due to the pandemic but not the emotions and kind intentions.

Many took to twitter to share glimpses of Ganesh Visarjan from their homes and pointed out that their love for bappa remains the same despite everything else that has changed. It was also brought to notice how unusual it was to see empty roads and beaches during Ganesh visarjan and how everyone hopes for a better tomorrow.

Other than this, the BMC had also allotted several artificial immersion locations where visarjan was carried out amid security and protection.

The Mumbai police had beefed up security keeping in mind the safety of people. Also, municipal lifeguards were deployed in Dadar, Juhu, Girgaum and other places.

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