Is there really a ban on physical pandal darshan in the city? It would seem that the answer to that question is no. Things seem to be going smoothly at various Ganesh pandals in the city, much like pre-pandemic times, especially at smaller and lesser-known places. In a streak of good luck, the out-of-business drum and dhol players got employed, as Mumbaikars did not shy away from hiring them.

Even as the popular and bigger mandals were seen following all Covid-19 protocols, the smaller ones were crowded, especially during aarti timings. Where the civic officials said that it is the police’s job to take action on any violators, the police officials posted at various popular mandals said things are under control.