Pune: With the outbreak of COVID-19 looming over the festive season, big mandals in Pune have already decided to go online to ensure that devotees are not devoid of sight of the lord. Many prominent mandals in the city are using digital tools for devotees.
With almost the whole world operating virtually during COVID-19 times, Lord Ganesha is also giving darshan via YouTube, Facebook and other platforms.
Shrikant Shete, President of Kasba Ganpati said, "The online darshan is in full swing. The official Facebook page of Kasba Ganpati is getting a great response from the devotees. This year amid the COVID-19 crisis, we have decided to promote online darshan."
"We have strictly following the guidelines issued by the administration, as well as all preventive measures of COVID-19 are been taken by the mandal. We have installed a machine which sanitises the pandal after regular intervals," he informed.
Mahesh Suryavanshi, Treasurer of Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple said, "On the backdrop of the novel coronavirus, there is no direct darshan for devotees however, people can seek blessings from the beloved Bappa through our website. People in huge numbers come for darshan in the Ganesh Festival but this year we have asked all devotees to take darshan online."
"This year, we are using digital tools so that people will not worry about the darshan, aarti and other programs. One can check the timetable of all events in the temple on our website."
On the other side, Akhil Mandai Mandal Pune has come up with a unique concept of virtual aarti. Sanket Mate of the Akhil Mandai Mandal informed, "Amid the COVID-19 crisis, all prominent mandals have decided to celebrate the Ganeshotsav in low grandeur. However, this year, the mandal is offering online darshan to devotees. Also, devotees on voluntary contribution can avail the benefit of virtual aarti."
"Also the mandal is streaming Atharvashirsha prayer at 7 pm daily along with Facebook and social media handles are active so that devotees can seek blessings from the beloved Bappa online."
Every year in August or September devotees install Ganesha idols into their house, temple or pandal as a guest. The idol is worshipped with extravagant rituals for 10 days along with various cultural programmes.
The novel COVID-19 has not only taken a toll on lives and economy and many other sectors, but it surely has taken a toll on the festivals as well. The most celebrated Ganesh Festival has witnessed low-key celebrations this year.