Pune: Citizens of Wadgaon, Dhayari and Narhe preferred to immerse their Ganesh idols in the canal instead of the mobile immersion tanks provided by the Pune Municipal Corporation on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi, the last day of the 10 day long Ganeshotsav festival, when the devotees bid adieu to Lord Ganesh.
This year, on the backdrop of the coronavirus epidemic, the festival was celebrated in a simple and low key manner. In Wadgaon, Dhayari and Narhe area, the immersion of Ganesh idols was done at home with devotees paying obeisance and bidding adieu to their popular deity with slogans such as ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’.
The Ganesh Mandals immersed their Ganesh idols in the immersion tanks kept ready by the municipal corporation. Ganesh idols which were donated by citizens along with Nirmalya were collected by the municipal corporation employees. This year Ganeshotsav was celebrated by the citizens in a very low key manner.
Ganesh Mandals cancelled all festive and cultural events this year due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The mandals celebrated Ganeshotsav in a simple manner. Electrical lighting, speakers, and various programs for the young and old as well as the grand dhol-tashas, DJs were missing this year during the 10 day long festival and the procession day.
Ganesh devotees turned their backs on the mobile immersion tanks kept ready by the municipal corporation for immersion of Ganesh idols. Not a single employee of the civic body was deployed in the canal area at Wadgaon Phata. Police personnel were also not seen there.
Local children were risking their lives to immerse Ganesh idols in the flowing water of the canal. Also, the citizens were not taking any precautions with regards to the Covid-19 prevalence in the canal area. There was also a large crowding at this location. Citizens in the area were discussing what the Pune Municipal Corporation would do with the donated Ganesh idols.
