Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)
With additional pics by Manju Studio XL
Mangaluru, Aug 22: The festival of Ganesh Chathurthi is being celebrated with devotion and joy on Saturday, August 22. The celebrations however are low-key given the restrictions amid coronavirus outbreak.
As the state government has relaxed rules and allowed people to partake in the festivity, people are celebrating the festival in a simple manner. However, due to the last minute permission, the number of Ganeshotsava celebrations have gone down in the region.
Most of the Ganeshotsavas in the twin districts are being celebrated in auditoriums, Bhajana Mandirs and campus of schools and colleges. In addition, family members celebrates the festival at their homes also. Many holy places will also celebrate Ganesh Chathurthi with special pujas. Generally Ganeshotsava used to take place over five days. This year, however, it is limited to only one day due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The district administration has already given orders for public to limit the height of Ganesha idol to four feet in public celebrations and to two feet at homes. In the places where Ganesha idols are kept an enclosure limited to 20 people needs to be installed. There is no permission to hold any cultural, music or dance programme in public installation places of Ganesh idol.
People who make puja to traditional Ganesha idol and at home should immerse them at their homes only. Public idols of Ganesha needs to be immersed in mobile tanks or artificial immersing tankers.
Due to coronavirus the economic activity of the district was at its lowest point. However, due to certain relaxation in rules for the festival of Lord Ganesha, the economic activity also saw some sort of boost.
Markets in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts were bustling with people thronging to buy supplies for Ganesh Chathurthi celebration on Friday, August 21. Flower business was brisk. Sugarcane was also in high demand. According to sources, nearly 150 to 200 tonnes of sugarcane is sold in the city of Mangaluru. Vegetables both local and outstation were in good demand also.
In Udupi also the business of flower, sugarcane and vegetables was brisk on Friday. Sugarcane stick was sold for Rs 50 to 70 for each stick. Kotte, weaving of leaves used for making Moode delicacy, was sold at six to seven pieces for Rs 100.