Take measures to make it easy for devotees if it rains, but hope Meteorological dept prediction turns out to be false

Mandals prepare for wet ganapati

Take measures to make it easy for devotees if it rains, but hope Meteorological dept prediction turns out to be false

Preparations are in full swing at the Ganesh mandals in the city but rain may hamper festivities.
According to the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) rain spells will continue for the next few weeks.

"It will rain for next 24 hours and then it will stop.

The rain spells will start after a couple of days and continue for next few days," said Dr A B Majumdar, deputy director general, weather forecast, IMD. "Though there would be no heavy rains, it will continue to drizzle."

Rain, rain go away: The Met has predicted rain during Ganeshotsav,
which is from September 11 to 22. Representation pic

The city reported 10.9 mm rains between Wednesday and Thursday.

Ganesh mandals however are fully prepared and do not think the monsoon to be a threat to the festive season. Most of them though hope the IMD's predictions turn out to be false.

Arun Jangawali, president of Aryaneshwar Mandal, said they were completely prepared for rain. "We have extended the area of the mandal so that it can accommodate more people. We do not want devotees to get wet while visiting us. We have left ample empty space for them to take shelter," Jangawali said.

Dilip Giramkam, president of Hind Tarun Mandal, said they had built shades for devotees. "We have built shades outside so that people who come to see our decorations will not get wet while waiting outside."

Besides devotees, mandals are also taking care of hawkers and providing them shelter during rain. Mansingh Pantole, president of Navgraha Mandal, said: "Sheds will also be provided to hawkers and their stalls will be fully covered so that it does not cause inconvenience to anyone."

Tukaram Rasne of Dagduseth Halwai Ganapati Trust, which gets the highest number of devotees, said they had taken all the necessary precautions but he was sure it would not rain during the festival.u00a0u00a0